Associations of mothers' source of feeding information with longitudinal trajectories of sugar‐sweetened beverage intake, 100% juice intake and adiposity in early childhood

Abstract

Summary Background There remains a need to understand how information sources can promote young children's healthy beverage consumption and prevent obesity. Objectives To examine associations of mothers' primary feeding information source with children's sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, 100% juice intake and adiposity between ages 3 and 7 years. Methods We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study (n = 371 children; 13 visits). Mothers reported their primary feeding information source at baseline and completed child 3‐day dietary records each visit. Child adiposity indicators were calculated from repeated height/weight measurements and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Longitudinal models examined beverage intakes and adiposity over time by source. Results Primary feeding information sources included doctors (48.2%), mothers (17.5%), grandmothers (13.5%), other healthcare professionals (11.3%) and other family/friends (9.4%). Children's juice intake with age differed by source (P interaction = 0.03), with steepest and slightest intake decreases in the doctor (−19.7% each year; 95% CI: −23.7%, −15.5%) and grandmother (−5.0%; −14.5%, 5.5%) subgroups, respectively. Children's SSB intake did not differ by source, but increased annually by 7.1% (4.5%, 9.8%) overall. The grandmother subgroup had the greatest child adiposity over time. Conclusions Mothers' primary feeding information source may have important, yet heterogeneous, influences on young children's beverage intakes and adiposity over time. Consistent evidence‐based messages are likely needed.