Evaluation of a Beverage Educational Intervention for Latino Parents of Infants and Children Ages Nine Months to Five Years

Background: The Latino population has the highest rate of childhood obesity in the United States. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has a positive correlation with increased rates of childhood obesity. Current research shows a deficit in culturally sensitive methods to reduce SSB consumption in the pediatric Latino population. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to empower parents of Latino infants and young children with the knowledge to reduce or eliminate the consumption of SSBs in their child’s diet. Methods: The project was a one group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study design occurring in one pediatric outpatient clinic. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model was the framework for an evidence-based beverage educational intervention used to promote change in parental behaviors toward their Latino child’s SSB consumption. The instrument used for data collection was the Beverage Questionnaire for Preschoolers (BEVQ-PS) and the variable measured was the change in SSB intake. Data collection occurred prior to the intervention and one month post-intervention. Results: Fifteen pre-intervention and one post-intervention surveys were completed. Comparison of the pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys of the single subject that completed both showed an increase in water and 100% fruit juice intake frequency, but not amount. According to the pre-intervention surveys, the two most consumed beverages were whole milk, water, 100% fruit juice and flavored milk. Conclusions: Due to the low number of submitted post-intervention surveys, inferences about the effectiveness of the IMB model as a framework for a beverage educational intervention to change parental behaviors toward their Latino child’s SSB consumption cannot be made. Future studies should consider using other methods of post-intervention survey follow-up