Family Stress Is Inversely Associated With Sugar Intake in Preschool-Aged Girls

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the associations between family stress and sugar (total, free and added) intake among preschool-aged children. METHODS: Data were collected from 210 families, 267 children (138 girls, 129 boys); mean age of 3.6 ± 1.2 years enrolled in the Guelph Family Health Study. Family stress was assessed using measures of household chaos and family dysfunction. Sugar intake was measured using an Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool. Linear regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate associations between family stress and energy-adjusted sugar intakes (g/1,000 kcal). RESULTS: There was an inverse association between family dysfunction and girls' intakes of total (β = -3.8, P = 0.03), free (β = -8.6, P = 0.005), and added (β = -7.6, P = 0.005) sugars, when controlling for age, ethnicity, and household income. No significant associations in boys were noted. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that the association between family stress and sugar intake may differ by child sex.