Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Risk of Visceral Fat Accumulation Among University Students in Thailand

Increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with obesity and metabolic health risks.

This study determined the relationship between SSB intake and body composition, with a focus on visceral fat accumulation among Thai university students.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 387 university students aged 19-22 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day, 24-hour dietary recall conducted on three consecutive day to quantify SSB consumption. Body composition metrics, including body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and visceral fat levels (VFL), were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and linear regression, were used to identify the associations between SSB intake and body composition.

Sweetened tea, particularly freshly prepared iced milk tea, was most frequently consumed. High sugar consumption from SSB (≥ 24 g/day) was significantly associated with increased fat mass (16.9 ± 9.9 vs. 14.8 ± 7.8 kg, p = 0.021), BMI (22.6 ± 5.0 vs. 21.3 ± 4.2 kg/m², p = 0.007), and VFL > 9 (83.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.013). Sugar intake increased progressively across BMI categories: underweight (25.21 g/day), normal-weight (28.78 g/day), overweight (32.18 g/day), and obese (34.00 g/day). Participants with a VFL above 9 consumed over 40 g/day of SSB-derived sugar. At VFL exceeding 10, males had an average BMI of 30.06 ± 2.40 kg/m², whereas females exhibited a dramatically higher BMI of 41.20 ± 3.27 kg/m².

Excessive SSB consumption, particularly sweetened tea, is strongly associated with higher visceral fat and unfavorable body composition in young adults. Public health interventions targeting reduced SSB intake are urgently required to address obesity and metabolic health risks. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm causality and inform dietary guidelines.