Preventing the Early Introduction of Juice and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Infants’ Diets: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine whether a simple educational intervention targeting parents of young infants could have an impact on the consumption of juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in early childhood and decrease overweight and obesity rates. Parents of 2- to 4-month-old infants were randomized into intervention (n = 67) and control (n = 77) groups. Parents completed questionnaires about juice and SSB consumption and knowledge at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Intervention parents received informational handouts and watched videos about the health effects of juice and SSBs. Knowledge about juice increased significantly in the intervention group compared with control ( P < .01) and was significantly higher in black/African American parents ( P < .05) and those with some college education ( P < .05). The intervention had a significant impact on the knowledge gained by parents about the health effects of juice and SSBs but did not decrease the consumption of sugary drinks or change children’s weight status.