Perceptions of Tap water and school water fountains and association with intake of plain water and sugar-sweetened beverages

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Stephen J. Onufrak
  • Sohyun Park
  • Joseph R. Sharkey
  • Caitlin Merlo
  • Dean, Wesley
  • Bettylou Sherry

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding youth perceptions of tap water and school water fountains and how these relate to water and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. METHODS: We used national 2010 YouthStyles data to assess perceptions of tap water and school water fountains and associations with water and SSB intake. RESULTS: Nearly 1 in 5 participants disagreed their tap water was safe and nearly 2 in 5 disagreed school water fountains were clean and safe. Perceived tap water risk was more prevalent among non-Hispanic (NH) Blacks (26.4%) and Hispanics (28.3%) compared with NH Whites (14.7%, p<.001) and more prevalent among lower-income youth. Negative water fountain perceptions were more common among high school-aged youth. Perceived tap water risk was not associated with SSB intake (odds ratio [OR]=1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6, 1.5) or water intake (OR=1.4, 95% CI: 0.9, 2.1). Negative water fountain perceptions were associated with SSB intake only among Hispanics (race/ethnicity interaction p<.001; OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.3, 6.6) but were not associated with water intake. CONCLUSION: Negative perceptions of tap water and water fountains among youth are common and should be considered in efforts to provide water in schools.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of School Health
Volume84
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)195-204
Number of pages10
ISSN0022-4391
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Nutrient and diet, Policy, Public health, Sugar-sweetened beverages

ID: 255454100