Study Shows Sugar Warning Label Has Powerful Effect on Beverages Parents Would Buy for Kids
A study of Pediatrics suggests health warning labels similar to those on cigarette cartons have potential to sharply reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages parents buy for their children.
The study, “Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Health Warning Labels on Parents’ Choices and Knowledge” (published online Jan. 14), found parents were significantly less likely to select drinks with added sugar when the beverages displayed safety warnings that consumption contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
The warning labels used in the study were similar to those proposed in California and New York to help educate consumers about potential negative health impacts from overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Statistics show 66 percent of children between ages 2 and 11 drink sugar-sweetened beverages daily, according to the study’s authors.
They said certain types of sugar-sweetened beverages, such as flavored waters and fruit and sports drinks, may particularly need warning labels because studies show parents tend to believe these to be healthy options for children.