Perceptions of Tap Water and School Water Fountains and Association With Intake of Plain Water and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Abstract Objectives In the United States, replacing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) with plain drinking water is recommended via by numerous public health agencies and non-governmental organizations. While declines in SSB consumption in the US are well-documented, it is not clear if consumers are replacing SSBs with other beverages, namely plain drinking water. Methods Beverage consumption data for 7453 children (4–18y) and 15,263 adults (≥19y) came from two 24 h dietary recalls in three most recent cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011–2016). Consumption trends for water intakes (in mL/d) from SSBs and from drinking water were analyzed by gender, age group, family income, and race/ethnicity. Results Mean water intakes from SSBs declined from 322 mL/d to 262 mL/d (p-trend = 0.002) on average, whereas plain drinking water increased from 1011 mL/d to 1144 mL/d (p-trend = 0.0108). Statistically significant reductions in SSBs were observed only among men (-18%), younger participants (-26% in 4–8, -22% in 9–13, -33% in 14–19 and -30% in 20–30), those with lower incomes (family income-to-poverty ratio < 2.0), non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic black participants (p-trend < 0.05 for each). Within these population sub-groups, only non-Hispanic white participants, those with a family income to poverty ratio of 1–1.99, but not < 1.0, and children aged < 14y had a corresponding increase in plain water consumption. When examining types of water, non-Hispanic white participants replaced SSBs with tap water as opposed to bottled water, and the lower income group replaced SSBs with bottled water, as opposed to tap water. Conclusions The expected replacement of SSBs with plain drinking water was not uniformly observed across socio-demographic group. Only non-Hispanic Whites and lower income groups replaced SSB with water, whereas teenagers (14–19y) and non-Hispanic black participants did not. Understanding how and if specific population sub-groups are replacing a declining food/beverage category with another category has important population health implications. Funding Sources Analyses of publicly available federal NHANES databases were sponsored by PepsiCo Inc. and conducted by MS-Nutrition. The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of PepsiCo, Inc.

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The relationship of perceptions of tap water safety with intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and plain water among US adults

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012004600 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 179-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Stephen J Onufrak ◽

Sohyun Park ◽

Joseph R Sharkey ◽

Bettylou Sherry

Keyword(s):

Water Intake ◽

Tap Water ◽

Bottled Water ◽

Plain Water ◽

Water Safety ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Water Perceptions

AbstractObjectiveResearch is limited on whether mistrust of tap water discourages plain water intake and leads to a greater intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). The objective of the present study was to examine demographic differences in perceptions of tap water safety and determine if these perceptions are associated with intake of SSB and plain water.DesignThe study examined perceptions of tap water safety and their cross-sectional association with intake of SSB and plain water. Racial/ethnic differences in the associations of tap water perceptions with SSB and plain water intake were also examined.SettingNationally weighted data from the 2010 HealthStyles Survey (n 4184).SubjectsUS adults aged ≥18 years.ResultsOverall, 13·0 % of participants disagreed that their local tap water was safe to drink and 26·4 % of participants agreed that bottled water was safer than tap water. Both mistrust of tap water safety and favouring bottled water differed by region, age, race/ethnicity, income and education. The associations of tap water mistrust with intake of SSB and plain water were modified by race/ethnicity (P < 0·05). Non-white racial/ethnic groups who disagreed that their local tap water was safe to drink were more likely to report low intake of plain water. The odds of consuming ≥1 SSB/d among Hispanics who mistrusted their local tap water was twice that of Hispanics who did not (OR = 2·0; 95 % CI 1·2, 3·3).ConclusionsPublic health efforts to promote healthy beverages should recognize the potential impact of tap water perceptions on water and SSB intake among minority populations.

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Factors Related to Water Filter Use for Drinking Tap Water at Home and Its Association with Consuming Plain Water and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among US Adults

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa061_100 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1472-1472

Author(s):

Sohyun Park ◽

Stephen Onufrak ◽

Angie Cradock ◽

Christina Hecht ◽

Anisha Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Tap Water ◽

Bottled Water ◽

Plain Water ◽

Limited Information ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Lower Odds ◽

Water Filter ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

At Home

Abstract Objectives Drinking plain water, especially as a substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), may improve diet and prevent chronic disease. There is limited information on how water filter use impacts intake of beverages. We explored factors associated with water filter use for drinking tap water at home and examined its association with consuming plain water and SSB. Methods We used the 2018 SummerStyles data for 4042 US adults (≥18 y). For a first model, outcome was water filter use (yes vs. no or do not drink tap water at home). For a second model, outcomes were intake of plain water (tap and bottled water) and SSB (regular soda, fruit drinks, sports/energy drinks, sweetened coffee/tea drinks), and exposure was water filter use. Covariates included sociodemographics, weight status, Census regions, and ownership status of living quarters. Four multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for consuming tap water, bottled water, or total plain water >3 cups/d (vs. ≤3 cups) and SSB ≥ 1 time/d (vs. <1 time) by water filter use. Results Overall, 36% of adults reported using a filter for drinking tap water at home and 14% did not drink tap water at home. Factors significantly associated with lower odds of using a water filter were being non-Hispanic (NH) black (AOR = 0.72, vs. NH white), lower education (AOR = 0.61 for ≤ high school; AOR = 0.69 for some college, vs. college graduate), not married (AOR = 0.78 vs. married/domestic partnership) and lower household income (AOR = 0.70 for <$35,000 vs. ≥$100,000). After adjusting for covariates, using a water filter was significantly associated with higher odds for drinking >3 cups/d of tap water (AOR = 1.33) and lower odds for consuming SSB ≥ 1 time/d (AOR = 0.76). Not drinking tap water at home was significantly associated with lower odds for drinking >3 cups/d of tap water (AOR = 0.39) and higher odds of drinking >3 cups/d bottled water (AOR = 3.46). Conclusions Using a filter for drinking home tap water was associated with higher tap water intake and lower SSB intake among US adults. Yet, water filter use was lower among Black adults and those with lower income and education compared to other groups. While filters can improve tap water quality and healthful beverage habits, some may reduce fluoride content and their cost and proper use should be considered. Funding Sources Solely for author's time from their institutions.

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Replacing Sugar Sweetened Beverages with Plain Water Improves Body Composition among Female Youth

Journal of Food and Nutrition Research ◽

10.12691/jfnr-5-9-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (9) ◽

pp. 684-688

Author(s):

Nur Islami Mohd Fahmi Teng ◽

Sa’ida Munira Johari ◽

Nur Azma Amin ◽

Hazwan Shah Ali ◽

Siti Hajar Mukhtar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Plain Water ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Female Youth ◽

Sweetened Beverages

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Artificially sweetened beverages, sugar-sweetened beverages, plain water, and incident diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women: the prospective Women’s Health Initiative observational study

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.3945/ajcn.116.145391 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 106 (2) ◽

pp. 614-622 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Mengna Huang ◽

Abdullah Quddus ◽

Lynda Stinson ◽

James M Shikany ◽

Barbara V Howard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Observational Study ◽

Women's Health ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Incident Diabetes ◽

Plain Water ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Health Initiative ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Artificially Sweetened Beverages

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Decreasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and raising tap water consumption through Interventions based on nutrition and sustainability for kids: the DRINK study

http://isrctn.com/ ◽

10.1186/isrctn99843102 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katia Castetbon ◽

Katia Castetbon

Keyword(s):

Water Consumption ◽

Tap Water ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Sweetened Beverages

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Association between Plain Water and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Total Energy Intake among Mexican School-Age Children

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu8120710 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 710 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Teresa Shamah-Levy ◽

Claudia García-Chávez ◽

Sonia Rodríguez-Ramírez

Keyword(s):

Total Energy ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Total Energy Intake ◽

School Age Children ◽

Plain Water ◽

School Age ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Sweetened Beverages

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Students’ perceptions of school sugar-free, food and exercise environments enhance healthy eating and physical activity

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021004961 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Chieh-hsing Liu ◽

Fong-ching Chang ◽

Yu-zhen Niu ◽

Li-ling Liao ◽

Yen-jung Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

School Level ◽

Plain Water ◽

School Students ◽

School Policies ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Perceptions Of School

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between students’ perceptions of their school policies and environments (i.e., sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) free policy, plain water drinking, vegetables and fruit eating campaign, outdoor physical activity initiative, and the SH150 program (exercise 150 min/week at school)) and their dietary behaviors and physical activity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary, middle, and high schools in Taiwan. Participants: A nationally representative sample of 2,433 primary school (5th-6th grade) students, 3,212 middle school students, and 2,829 high school students completed the online survey in 2018. Results: Multivariate analysis results showed that after controlling for school level, gender, and age, the students’ perceptions of school sugar-free policies were negatively associated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and positively associated with consumption of plain water. Schools’ campaigns promoting the eating of vegetables and fruit were positively associated with students’ consumption of vegetables. In addition, schools’ initiatives promoting outdoor physical activity and the SH150 program were positively associated with students’ engagement in outdoor physical activities and daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Conclusions: Students’ perceptions of healthy school policies and environments promote healthy eating and an increase in physical activity for students.

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