Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Indigenous Australian children aged 0–3 years and association with sociodemographic, life circumstances and health factors

Abstract

Objective:To explore beverage intake and associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and sociodemographic, life circumstances, health and well-being factors in a national cohort of Indigenous children.Design:We calculated prevalence ratios for any SSB consumption across exposures, using multilevel Poisson regression (robust variance), adjusted for age group and remoteness. A key informant focus group contextualised these exploratory findings.Setting:Diverse settings across Australia.Participants:Families of Indigenous children aged 0–3 years, in the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children.Results:Half (50·7 %, n 473/933) of children had ever consumed SSB at survey, increasing from 29·3 % of 0–12-month-olds to 65·7 % of 18–36-month-olds. SSB consumption prevalence was significantly lower in urban and regional v. remote areas, and in families experiencing socio-economic advantage (area-level advantage, caregiver employed, financial security), better life circumstances (caregiver social support, limited exposure to stressors) and caregiver well-being (non-smoking, social and emotional well-being, physical health). SSB consumption prevalence was significantly lower among those engaged with health services (adequate health-service access, regular prenatal check-ups), except SSB consumption prevalence was higher among those who received home visits from an Aboriginal Health Worker compared with no home visits. Key informants highlighted the role of water quality/safety on SSB consumption.Conclusions:A substantial proportion of Indigenous children in this sample consumed SSB from an early age. Health provider information needs to be relevant to the context of families’ lives. Health system strategies must be paired with upstream strategies, such as holistic support programmes for families, reducing racism and improving water quality.

Inequalities in dental caries among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children in Australia: A literature review

“…Indigenous people in Australia have experienced unfair treatment, such as colonisation, racism, and cultural genocide, which has profoundly impacted their physical, mental and emotional health. 26 These political and historical factors, have exacerbated the more commonly investigated influences on dental caries, such as: increased consumption of sugarsweetened beverages 27 ; lack knowledge and awareness of oral health; poor oral health behaviours and access to care. 28 In recent years, the government and states have taken various measures to narrow the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children with dental caries.…”

“…The results of a trial in remote Indigenous communities of Australia's Northern Territory once again confirmed that fluoride varnish could effectively prevent dental caries in children. 27,32 So while, programs exist to prioritise and provide timely care for Indigenous children, it appears that on a broader level they are not having much of an impact and this could be due to the limited reach as well as the lack of continuity of programs.…”

Native and Indigenous Populations and Gastric Cancer: A Worldwide Review

“…Diet and lifestyle modification such as increased consumption of fruits/vegetables and reduced consumption of processed foods is routinely recommended to reduce the risk of gastric cancer [11], but many Indigenous people face barriers to these behavioral changes. Research from Australia shows that Indigenous populations consume a greater proportion of sugar-sweetened food and beverages compared to other populations in Australia [18]. A primary driver is the high price and decreased access to healthier food options and safe drinking water [18].…”

“…Research from Australia shows that Indigenous populations consume a greater proportion of sugar-sweetened food and beverages compared to other populations in Australia [18]. A primary driver is the high price and decreased access to healthier food options and safe drinking water [18]. In Canada, a review of obesity among First Nations communities observed that fluctuating food prices by season, lack of access to healthy food options, and ease of access to convenience stores are factors in the increased levels of obesity [12,19].…”

Measuring the gaps in drinking water quality and policy across regional and remote Australia

“…The ADWG Good definition reflects the ADWG definition of 'good' water quality and the emphasis in the guidelines on water suppliers meeting consumer expectations. In practice, accounting for aesthetic considerations in defining basic service levels is necessary because: (i) unpalatable water affects consumer risk perceptions, potentially leading to indirect health impacts from accessing unsafe alternative sources of hydration 48,64,65 , including sugary drinks 66,67 ; (ii) buying bottled or trucked water due to distrust of water services 68,69 is a financial burden for low-income households inconsistent with affordable access; and (iii) high levels of hardness and TDS may affect water infrastructure integrity, operational costs, and safety 70 . Note that the ADWG definition of 'good' water also includes 'taste and odour' which is specified as "not offensive to most people" 21 .…”