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Soft drink consumption in Sri Lankan adolescents
Nilantha Ratnayake1, Lilani Ekanayake
1Institute of Oral Health, Maharagama, Sri Lanka.
Public Health Nutrition
|April 13, 2012
Summary
Most Sri Lankan adolescents consume sugar-sweetened drinks weekly. Male gender, private schooling, and parental education/occupation are linked to higher consumption of these beverages.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Nutrition
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is a significant public health concern globally, particularly among adolescents.
- Understanding consumption patterns and associated factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
- Adolescent dietary habits in Sri Lanka, especially regarding SSBs, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify sociodemographic factors associated with sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption among adolescents in Sri Lanka.
- To provide data for public health initiatives aimed at reducing SSB intake in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka.
- Data were collected from 17-year-old adolescents attending 65 government, private, and international schools using self-administered questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis identified independent factors associated with SSB consumption.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of SSB consumption was observed, with 82% of adolescents consuming SSBs at least weekly.
- Consumption of sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks (77%) and fruit drinks (48%) was also frequent.
- Independent predictors of weekly or more frequent SSB consumption included being male (OR=1.44), attending private/international schools (OR=4.12), higher maternal education (OR=1.53), and father's middle or upper-level occupation (OR=2.39, OR=2.48 respectively).
Conclusions:
- The majority of Sri Lankan adolescents in this study consumed sugar-sweetened beverages frequently.
- Sociodemographic factors, including gender, school type, and parental socioeconomic status, are significantly associated with SSB consumption.
- These findings highlight the need for tailored public health strategies to address SSB intake in Sri Lankan youth.
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