Most research investigating sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and health, conducted at the individual or household level, ignores potentially important intra-household dynamics. We analysed self-reported consumption relationships between children and adults, and between children of different ages, as well as the associations between intra-household consumption, BMI and sociodemographic characteristics.

A cross-sectional analysis of survey data from Kantar Fast Moving Consumer Goods panellists in September 2017.

Great Britain.

Random sample of 603 households with children under 18 years who regularly purchase non-alcoholic beverages.

Low- or no-sugar/diet beverages dominate consumption across all age categories, particularly children under 12 years. SSB consumption increased as children became older. Children’s reported consumption of SSB and low- or no-sugar/diet beverages was positively associated with consumption by adults; a child in adolescence had over nine times the odds of consuming SSB (adjusted OR 9·55, (95 % CI 5·38, 17·00), P < 0·001), and eight times the odds of consuming low- or no-sugar/diet drinks (adjusted OR 8·12, (95 % CI 4·71, 13·97), P < 0·001), if adults did so. In households with multiple children, consumption patterns of older siblings were associated with those of the younger; notably a perfect correlation between children aged 0 and 6 years consuming SSB if siblings 13–18 years did so, and children aged 7–12 years had 22 times the odds of consuming SSB if siblings aged 13–18 years did so (OR 22·33, (95 % CI 8·60, 58·01), P < 0·001).

Multiple policies, targeting children as well as adults, such as fiscal levers and advertisement restrictions, are needed to reduce and prevent the consumption of SSB.