Physical activity and beverage consumption in preschoolers: focus groups with parents and teachers

De Craemer, Marieke; De Decker, Ellen; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Deforche, Benedicte; Vereecken, Carine; Duvinage, Kristin; Grammatikaki, Evangelia; Iotova, Violeta; Fernández-Alvira, Juan Miguel; Zych, Kamila; Manios, Yannis; Cardon, Greet

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-278

Table 4 Results from parents’ and teachers’ opinions on preschoolers’ beverage consumption

From: Physical activity and beverage consumption in preschoolers: focus groups with parents and teachers

Theme	Parents	Teachers
Beverages	Children usually drink water, fruit juices (orange and apple juices), milk (plain, chocolate, flavoured/sweetened), soft drinks and (un)sweetened tea.	Most teachers think they have an important role in increasing preschoolers’ water intake (one of the main role models).
	A few parents (different countries) do not think it is necessary to decrease the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (soft drinks and coloured milk).	Children usually drink water.
		In some preschools and countries, children drink milk (plain, chocolate, flavoured/sweetened), fruit juices and (unsweetened) tea.
How to increase preschoolers’ water intake	Being a role model for the child.	Remind them to drink water before the start of a long activity or after being physically active.
	Making it a habit to drink water at home.	When children are thirsty, they can always drink water in the classroom.
	Putting a water jug on the table, together with some glasses.
	Providing a nice drinking cup or a bottle with a sports cap.
Barriers to increase preschoolers’ water intake	Children tend to forget that they have to drink; children have to be reminded to drink more; parents cannot control the water access at preschool.	They have to go to the bathroom more frequently.
		Parents that think that teachers are meddling in their family situation.
		Not all parents want to introduce the preschool rules at home.
How to decrease preschoolers’ intake of sugar-sweetened beverages	Not buying those beverages; diluting soft drinks with water; using cacao powder instead of chocolate milk; using fresh fruits instead of packed fruit juices or fruit drinks; not drinking soft drinks themselves.	Soft drinks are not distributed at preschool.
		Only allow the intake of water.
Do you have recommendations for a future intervention targeting *beverage consumption* in preschoolers?	Having the children bring home information from preschool on beverage consumption.	Educate the parents.
		Ready-to-use material.
		Practical tips and information with new ideas and new activities.
		Teachers exchanging useful information to each other.
		Parental involvement.

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