Youth Beverage Intake and Reported Prediabetes: Choice and Frequency Matter

Sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among U.S. adolescents exceeds current recommendations. This study examines relationships between SSB intake and reported prediabetes.

Data are from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 125,375). Logistic regression was used to examine relationships between frequencies for SSB intake and youth reported prediabetes in analytic models adjusting for demographic and other cardiometabolic indicators. Additional analyses examined relationships between consumption of fruit juice, milk, and water, and prediabetes.

One in four youth reported consumption of at least one SSB daily. In fully adjusted models, a range of SSB intake frequencies were significantly associated with increased odds of reported prediabetes. All intake frequencies for water were associated with reduced odds of prediabetes.

Efforts to reduce SSB intake among adolescents are warranted to support cardiometabolic health. Study findings are consistent with current guidance identifying water as the preferred drink for adolescents' hydration needs.