Summary
Summary: To assess trends in consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) from 2013 to 2016 California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS) among all children in California aged 2–5 and 6–11 years and by racial-ethnic group. Previous research using CHIS documented a decrease in SSB consumption among children in California from 2003 to 2009 coinciding with state-level policy efforts targeting child SSB consumption.
Parents of children in California aged 2–11 years (n=4,901 in 2013-2014; n=3,606 in 2015-2016) were surveyed about the child's consumption of soda and sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks on the day prior.
Findings: Among 2– to 5-year-olds, consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any SSB remained stable. Sweetened fruit drink/sports drink consumption was higher than soda consumption in this age group. Latino 2–5-year-olds were more likely to consume any SSB in both 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 compared with Whites. Among 6– to 11-year-olds, consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any SSB also remained stable over time. Latino and African American 6–11-year-olds were more likely to consume an SSB in 2013–2014 compared with White children.
SSB consumption among children in California was unchanged from 2013 to 2016 and racial-ethnic disparities were evident. Increased policy efforts are needed to further reduce SSB consumption, particularly among children of Latino and African American backgrounds.
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