Motivators of and Barriers to Drinking Healthy Beverages among a Sample of Diverse Adults in Bronx, NY

Background: Consuming sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with several chronic health conditions. In the United States, government regulations and behavioral health interventions to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase the consumption of healthy beverages have shown limited effectiveness. Differences in motivation to engage in health promoting behaviors (e.g., drinking water and other healthy beverages) in association with key demographic variables exist. Purpose: To identify statistically significant differences in the levels of endorsement of these motivators and barriers in association with gender and race/ethnicity. Methods: A culturally diverse sample of adults (N = 639) from Bronx, New York were recruited. Results: The top motivator for females and males was preferences, for non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics was medical and health issues, and for non-Hispanic Whites was preferences. The top barrier for females, males, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Whites was availability. Statistically significant differences in the level of endorsement of these motivators/barriers exist. Discussion: Findings suggest that gender and race-specific differences to engaging in drinking water and other healthy beverages exist. Translation to Health Education Practice: Interventions seeking to decrease the consumption of unhealthy beverages among culturally diverse adults may consider gender and race-specific motivators and barriers associated with this behavior.