Association between dietary self-perception and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among young adult Latinas

To investigate the relationship between self-perceived overall dietary healthfulness and self-reported sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among young adult Latinas, accounting for socio-economic and acculturation-related factors.

Cross-sectional analysis using survey data. SSB intake was assessed using the BEVQ-15, and dietary self-perception was measured via a two-item scale. Multiple linear regression models examined associations between self-perception and total daily SSB intake, adjusting for income, education and two validated acculturation indicators.

Participants were recruited from a national online panel across the USA.

A total of 881 Latina women aged 18-29 years participated. After removing cases with invalid outcome responses and outliers, 840 and 829 were included in descriptive and regression analyses.

Better dietary self-perception was significantly associated with greater total SSB intake in both unadjusted (B = 1·74, P = 0·048) and fully adjusted models (B = 2·10, P = 0·017). Lower income (B = -0·64, P = 0·031) and lower education (B = -0·77, P = 0·026) were also associated with higher intake. Acculturation variables were NS. Subcategory models showed positive associations between self-perception and sweet tea (B = 0·99, P < 0·001) and black coffee/tea with sugar (B = 0·51, P < 0·01) and a marginal inverse association with soft drinks (B = -0·47, P = 0·060).

Young Latinas who perceive their diets as healthy may consume more added sugar from beverages than recommended. Public health efforts should address this perception gap and emphasise culturally relevant messaging about hidden sugars in commonly consumed drinks.