Differences in How Mothers and Fathers Monitor Sugar-Sweetened Beverages for Their Young Children (7-12 Years)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences between how mothers and fathers monitor their children’s sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs; 7-12 years) using constructs from the integrated behavioral model (IBM). Mothers (n = 167) and fathers (n = 117) completed a valid and reliable survey evaluating the extent that they monitored their child’s SSB intake and constructs of the IBM. Results showed significant differences between groups, with mothers consistently having higher levels of monitoring SSBs and IBM constructs. Regression models also showed that the core constructs of the IBM predicted a significant amount of the variance for monitoring SSBs for both mothers and fathers (39.4% and 18.3%, respectively), with intentions being the primary predictor for mothers and skillfulness the primary predictor for fathers. This study provides preliminary evidence that mothers and fathers monitor their children’s SSB intake differently, and factors that determine monitoring SSB intake of children differ between mothers and fathers.