SUGAR SWEETENED BEVERAGES INTAKE IN 9-12 YEAR OLD CHILDREN AT RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Over the past few decades, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in adolescents has increased dramatically. There has also been a rise in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). The E.P.I.C. (Encourage Practice Inspire Change) Kids Intervention program is among the first community- and family-based diabetes prevention interventions for children, ages 9-12, who are at risk of developing T2D. The purpose of EPIC Kids program is to provide information, resources, and strategies for children and their parents regarding nutrition, physical activity, and healthy behaviors that can improve their wellbeing, help manage their weight, and prevent T2D. Researchers are investigating the link between increased SSB consumption and T2D risk. To assess SSB consumption, two, 24-hour diet recalls were conducted at baseline and 12-week measurement sessions with the 28 youth. One weekday recall and one weekend day recall were collected. At baseline, the average total SSB consumption was 0.9 servings (8oz) and at12 weeks, 0.73 servings. There was no significant change in SSB consumption. Future activities include analysis of the entire sample of EPIC Kids participants (n=48), which will allow for a more robust evaluation of intervention-related changes in SSBs, and provide contextual data on factors associated with SSB consumption and determinants of change