In May 2017 researchers from The Netherlands published the results of their study to assess the association between fruit juice and soft drinks consumption and water consumption by children as well as the association between parenting practices towards fruit juice and soft drinks and water consumption. A high intake of fruit juice and soft drinks contributes to excessive weight gain and obesity in children and the role parents play in the development of their children’s choice of beverages is still unclear. A total of 1,1187 children, aged 6-8 years, were involved in the study. Information on the consumption of fruit juice, soft drinks and water was collected via parental questionnaires. Results showed that the children tended to have a lower water intake when their soft drinks consumption was high. It was also seen that the child’s water intake was favorably influenced when stricter parenting practices towards soft drinks were adopted. Fruit juice was consumed more often than soft drinks but fruit juice consumption did not appear to have any impact on the amount of water the child drank. In addition, there appeared to be less parental influence with respect to the consumption of fruit juice. Moreover, it should be noted that parenting practices towards the consumption of both fruit juice and soft drinks and associated intake of water was irrespective of socio-economic status.
Mantziki K et al. Water Consumption in European Children: Associations with Intake of Fruit Juices, Soft Drinks and Related Parenting Practices. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 May 31;14(6). pii: E583.