New Study Suggests Parents Watch What They Drink In Front of Kids

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Young children often look to their parents for guidance in many things, but a new study now suggests that what a parent drinks in front of their child could make a major impact on their child’s health.

The study, reported on by The Guardian, looked at four-to-eight-year-olds whose parents drank sweet drinks. Kids whose parents drank fizzy drinks were 192% more likely to drink the same beverages as their parents than other kids their age, 115% more likely to drink fruit juices if their parents did, and 529% to drink smoothies if their parents drank smoothies.

Sugary beverages like sodas, sports drinks, juices and other sweetened beverages have been linked to higher rates of diabetes, tooth decay, and other major health risks.Latino kids ages zero to five is higher than the overall average, studies show. Unfortunately, consumption of sugary drinks such as soft drinks, sports drinks, flavored milk and fruit-flavored drinks have risen between 1991 and 2008.

Latino kids ages zero to five is higher than the overall average, studies show. Unfortunately, consumption of sugary drinks such as soft drinks, sports drinks, flavored milk and fruit-flavored drinks have risen between 1991 and 2008.

In fact, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of public health notes that regular consumers of sugary beverages have a 26% higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Television ads, online games and targeted ads often focus on Latino families and kids and other minorities than their peers, increasing the likelihood of kids seeing more parental roles drinking unhealthy beverages.

The good news from within the study revealed that when parents drank water, their kids were more likely to drink water as well.

The American Heart Association recommends children limit their sugar intake to less than six teaspoons or 25 grams of added sugars daily  or less than a 100 calories of sugar for a healthy heart. This includes added sugars in food products as well such as yogurts, pasta sauces, and cereals.

To learn more about the dangers of sugary beverages for Latino kids, click here.

For healthier beverage tips and recommendations, click here.