Understanding How Latino Parents Choose Beverages to Serve to Infants and Toddlers

Abstract

To determine Latino parents' beliefs on the health effects of beverages on infants and toddlers, their sources of information on beverages and perceived barriers to following guidelines for healthy beverage consumption by children. We conducted 29 interviews with parents of Latino children ages 6-36 months. Parents were recruited in three community health centers in Northern California. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using standard qualitative methods. The following dominant themes emerged. Parents believed that water and milk were healthy beverages for children and that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were unhealthy. Views on 100% fruit juice were mixed. Parents distinguished between homemade beverages such as "agua fresca" which they considered healthy, despite containing added sugar, and beverages from stores which were viewed as unhealthy. Participants' main source of information on beverages was the federal nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Parents were confused, however, as to why WIC provides juice yet counseled parents to avoid giving their children juice. Parents preferred to receive information on beverages from experts. Differing practices among family members regarding which beverages they provide to children was the most important barrier to following beverage guidelines. Our study suggests that Latino parents are receptive to counseling on beverages from expert sources. Such counseling should address both store-bought and homemade beverages. The WIC program is a key source of information on beverages for Latino parents; thus counseling offered by WIC should be evidence-based and avoid mixed messages.

Trends in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among California children

“…Lower income has been associated with higher SSB intake in prior studies (27) , and Latino and African American children in California are more likely than White children to live in poverty (28) . Other factors that may contribute to racial-ethnic disparities in child SSB consumption include increased marketing of SSB to minorities (29) , lower awareness of the health effects of SSB (30) and mistrust of local water supplies (31)(32)(33)(34) . Qualitative studies with lowincome Latino parents provide insights about beliefs and cultural factors that contribute to child intake of SSB.…”

Factors influencing obesogenic dietary intake in young children (0–6 years): systematic review of qualitative evidence

“…Recent qualitative studies have also reported similar findings. 35 64–69 Preschool-aged children rely on their parents or carers for food and some children may be more vulnerable to parental unhealthy feeding habits and strategies.…”

Understanding the Use of Whole Milk and Flavored Powders in Children of Low-Income, Immigrant Latina Mothers: A Descriptive Study

“…14,15,16 Beck and colleagues found that low-income Latino parents trust health care providers for nutritional information on beverages. 17 This suggests that low-income Latina immigrant mothers would be receptive to nutrition counseling and educational tools to improve their milk feeding practices. Those who provide care for children from low-income Latino immigrant families should inquire about the use of these products to prevent their excess consumption and consider the beliefs identified in this study when counseling on the use of these products.…”