Attitudes and Opinions of Parents towards Water-Only Drink Policy at Junior Triathlon Events

Brooke L. Devlin, Kiera J. Staley, Gina L. Trakman, Adrienne K. Forsyth, Matthew G. Nicholson, Grant Cosgriff, Melanie Chisholm and Regina Belski
Additional contact information
Brooke L. Devlin: Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
Kiera J. Staley: Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
Gina L. Trakman: Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
Adrienne K. Forsyth: Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
Matthew G. Nicholson: Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
Grant Cosgriff: Triathlon Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3206, Australia
Melanie Chisholm: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), West Melbourne, VIC 3003, Australia
Regina Belski: Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Rates of childhood obesity within Australia continue to rise, with consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages one contributing factor. Community sport provides an opportunity to implement policies promoting water as the beverage of choice. However, the attitudes of parents toward a water-only policy are not known. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate parents’ opinions towards beverage consumption and a water-only policy. Data were collected from participants (n = 159) using an investigator-designed questionnaire, administered using iPads, at a junior Triathlon Victoria event. Water was the most popular beverage provided before (75%), during (85%) and after (61%) sport. Parents were more likely to provide sports drinks to children older than 14 years (27%). Three-quarters (77%) of parents reported having received no information regarding hydration requirements. Parents rated the importance of hydration prior to, during and after a triathlon as high (9.08 ± 1.2, 8.76 ± 1.3 and 9.30 ± 0.4 out of 10, respectively). Parents were supportive of a water-only policy at all junior triathlon events and all junior sporting events (7.94 ± 1.3 and 7.86 ± 1.9, respectively). There was less support for a water-only policy for adult triathlons (6.40 ± 3.1). A water-only drink policy at junior sport is viewed positively by parents. This warrants further research and policy development to facilitate behaviour change.

Keywords: sugar-sweetened beverages; hydration; adolescents; junior athletes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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