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Abstract
Latinos consume more sugary drinks and less water than other demographic groups. Our objective was to understand beverage choice motivations and test promotional concepts that can encourage Central American Latino urban youth to drink more water. Two rounds of focus group discussions were conducted (n = 10 focus groups, 61 participants, 6–18 years old). Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive and deductive coding approaches. Youth motivations for drinking water were shaped by level of thirst, weather, energy, and perceptions of health benefits. Youth were discouraged from drinking water due to its taste and perceptions of the safety and cleanliness of tap water. Youth beverage preference depended on what their friends were drinking. Availability of water versus other beverages at home and other settings influenced their choice. Promotional materials that included mixed language, informative messages about the benefits of drinking water, and celebrities or athletes who were active, energized, and drinking water were preferred. A promotional campaign to increase water consumption among these Latino youth should include bicultural messages to underscore the power of water to quench true thirst, highlight the health benefits of drinking water, and address the safety of tap water.
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge the residents of Langley Park and the Community Advisory Board of the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health for their input in providing context to the findings of this study. We would also like to thank Mrs. Basmah Rahman, research associate of WaterUp!, and Enrique Rivera and Ana Ortez Rivera from Rivera Group for assistance with the coordination and execution of the focus group discussions.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Nicole Barrett
Ms. Nicole Barrett led the writing and analysis of the data and led drafting of revisions. Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos conceived the study, study design and analysis, and contributed to interpretation. Ms. Allison Elkins contributed to data analysis. Ms. Ivonne Rivera led data collection. Dr. Mark Edberg directs the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health, under which the study was conducted, and both Dr. Edberg and Dr. Douglas Evans contributed to revisions and interpretation of data. All authors contributed significantly to drafting of manuscript and revisions and reviewed all drafts and final manuscript.
Uriyoán Colón-Ramos
Ms. Nicole Barrett led the writing and analysis of the data and led drafting of revisions. Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos conceived the study, study design and analysis, and contributed to interpretation. Ms. Allison Elkins contributed to data analysis. Ms. Ivonne Rivera led data collection. Dr. Mark Edberg directs the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health, under which the study was conducted, and both Dr. Edberg and Dr. Douglas Evans contributed to revisions and interpretation of data. All authors contributed significantly to drafting of manuscript and revisions and reviewed all drafts and final manuscript.
Allison Elkins
Ms. Nicole Barrett led the writing and analysis of the data and led drafting of revisions. Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos conceived the study, study design and analysis, and contributed to interpretation. Ms. Allison Elkins contributed to data analysis. Ms. Ivonne Rivera led data collection. Dr. Mark Edberg directs the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health, under which the study was conducted, and both Dr. Edberg and Dr. Douglas Evans contributed to revisions and interpretation of data. All authors contributed significantly to drafting of manuscript and revisions and reviewed all drafts and final manuscript.
Ivonne Rivera
Ms. Nicole Barrett led the writing and analysis of the data and led drafting of revisions. Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos conceived the study, study design and analysis, and contributed to interpretation. Ms. Allison Elkins contributed to data analysis. Ms. Ivonne Rivera led data collection. Dr. Mark Edberg directs the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health, under which the study was conducted, and both Dr. Edberg and Dr. Douglas Evans contributed to revisions and interpretation of data. All authors contributed significantly to drafting of manuscript and revisions and reviewed all drafts and final manuscript.
W. Douglas Evans
Ms. Nicole Barrett led the writing and analysis of the data and led drafting of revisions. Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos conceived the study, study design and analysis, and contributed to interpretation. Ms. Allison Elkins contributed to data analysis. Ms. Ivonne Rivera led data collection. Dr. Mark Edberg directs the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health, under which the study was conducted, and both Dr. Edberg and Dr. Douglas Evans contributed to revisions and interpretation of data. All authors contributed significantly to drafting of manuscript and revisions and reviewed all drafts and final manuscript.
Mark Edberg
Ms. Nicole Barrett led the writing and analysis of the data and led drafting of revisions. Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos conceived the study, study design and analysis, and contributed to interpretation. Ms. Allison Elkins contributed to data analysis. Ms. Ivonne Rivera led data collection. Dr. Mark Edberg directs the Avance Center for the Advancement of Immigrant/Refugee Health, under which the study was conducted, and both Dr. Edberg and Dr. Douglas Evans contributed to revisions and interpretation of data. All authors contributed significantly to drafting of manuscript and revisions and reviewed all drafts and final manuscript.