Children's consumption of beverages in Singapore: Knowledge, attitudes and practice

Aim: To examine the beverage consumption habits of Singaporean children and to investigate knowledge and attitudes of parents and children with regard to beverage consumption. Methods: A total of 800 respondents were randomly surveyed using face-to-face household interviews conducted between 10 March and 23 April 2009. The survey included mothers aged 25 to 44 years, of 400 children aged three to six years and 400 children aged seven to 10 years. Results: Children aged three to six and seven to 10 years typically consume milk on a daily basis. Younger children consume a greater number of servings of milk, whereas a significantly greater proportion of children aged seven to 10 years consume malted energy drinks and non-gassy and gassy soft drinks (P <= 0.005 for all). In older children, a decline in the proportion consuming milk on a typical weekday (69% vs. 92% for three to six-year-olds) is accompanied by a reduction in mean calcium intake (733 mg vs. 1032 mg for three-to six-year-olds). On a typical weekday, 26% of children aged three to six years did not meet the recommended daily dietary allowance (RDDA) of 600 mg of calcium. Of children aged seven to 10 years, 61% also did not meet the age-appropriate RDDA of 700 g mg of calcium. Conclusions: Milk consumption decreases with age while the consumption of beverages such as malted energy drinks, gassy and non-gassy soft drinks and syrups increases markedly. Educational programmes may aid in the selection of appropriate nutrient-dense beverages and other calcium-rich foods to ensure that children achieve the recommended daily dietary nutrient intake.