Self-Reported Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake among College Students

• Published in: Obesity research Vol. 14; no. 10; pp. 1825 - 1831
• Main Authors: Smith West, Delia, Bursac, Zoran, Quimby, Donna, Prewitt, T. Elaine, Spatz, Thea, Nash, Creshelle, Mays, Glen, Eddings, Kenya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The North American Association for the Study of Obesity 2006
• Subjects: adolescent nutrition; adolescents; beverages; Blacks; college students; disease prevention; energy drink; ethnic differences; food intake; fruit drinks; iced tea; obesity; overweight; soft drinks; sports drink; sugar content; sugared beverage; sweet ice tea; sweeteners; weight gain; Whites
• ISSN: 1071-7323; 1550-8528

OBJECTIVE: To characterize sugar-sweetened beverage intake of college students. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Undergraduates in an urban southern community campus were surveyed anonymously about sugared beverage consumption (soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweet ice tea) in the past month. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-five undergraduates responded (66% women, 46% minority, 100% of volunteers solicited). Most students (95%) reported sugared beverage intake in the past month, and 65% reported daily intake. Men were more likely than women to report daily intake (74% vs. 61%, p = 0.035). Soda was the most common sugar-sweetened beverage. Black undergraduates reported higher sugared beverage intake than whites (p = 0.02), with 91% of blacks reporting sugar-sweetened fruit drink intake in the past month and 50% reporting daily consumption. Mean estimated caloric intake from combined types of sugar-sweetened beverages was significantly higher among black students than whites, 796 ± 941 vs. 397 ± 396 kcal/d (p = 0.0003); the primary source of sugar-sweetened beverage calories among blacks was sugared fruit drinks (556 ± 918 kcal/d). Younger undergraduates reported significantly higher intake than older students (p = 0.025). DISCUSSION: Self-reported sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among undergraduates is substantial and likely contributes considerable non-nutritive calories, which may contribute to weight gain. Black undergraduates may be particularly vulnerable due to higher sugared beverage intake. Obesity prevention interventions targeting reductions in sugar-sweetened beverages in this population merit consideration.