Consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages is associated with an increase in body mass index in a cohort of Mexican adolescents

Abstract Background Public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax is important for governments in the decision-making process. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the level of public acceptability of an SSBs tax and its associated factors. Methods Dutch adults representative of the Dutch population for age, sex, educational level and location (n = 500) completed an online self-administered questionnaire. The acceptability of an SSBs tax was measured on a 7-point Likert scale. Associations between acceptability and sociodemographic factors, body mass index, SSB consumption, and beliefs about effectiveness (9 items, e.g. 'An SSBs tax would reduce people's SSB consumption'), appropriateness (7 items), socioeconomic and economic benefit (5 items), implementation (1 item) and trust (3 items) were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses. Results Of the participants, 40% supported and 43% opposed an SSBs tax in general. Moreover, 42% supported (43% opposed) an SSBs tax as a strategy to reduce overweight and 55% supported (32% opposed) an SSBs tax if revenue is used for health initiatives. Participants with a low educational level (B=-0.82;95%CI = [-1.31,-0.32]), overweight (B=-0.49;95%CI = [-0.89,-0.09]), moderate or high SSB consumption (B=-0.86;95%CI = [-1.30,-0.43] and B=-1.01;95%CI = [-1.47,-0.56], respectively) and households with adolescents (B=-0.57;95%CI = [-1.09,-0.05]) reported lower acceptability of an SSBs tax than their counterparts. Beliefs about effectiveness, appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust were associated with acceptability (P < 0.001). Conclusions Public acceptability of an SSBs tax tends to be higher if revenue is used for health initiatives. Sociodemographic factors, body mass index, SSB consumption and several beliefs about effectiveness, appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust are associated with acceptability. Key messages It should be considered to include a recommendation to use revenue for health initiatives in global guidelines for SSBs taxes. Targeting population subgroups with low levels of support might be an effective strategy for communication campaigns.

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION AND BODY MASS INDEX AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KUALA NERUS, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine ◽

10.37268/mjphm/vol.20/no.2/art.323 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

Aida Aliah Abu Bakar ◽

Napisah Hussin ◽

Abbe Maleyki Mhd. Jalil ◽

Marhazlina Mohamad

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

University Students ◽

Body Mass ◽

Normal Diet ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Health Consequences ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sweetened Beverages

Overweight and obesity are major health concerns in Malaysia, which are linked to other health consequences such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and several others. Among dietary factors, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are reported to be one of the leading factors of weight gain and a higher body mass index (BMI). Sugar-sweetened beverages are beverages with added sugar that only add calories to an individual’s normal diet and they represent the largest contributor to the added sugars intake. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of SSB consumption among university students in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, as well as to investigate the association between the students’ SSB consumption and their BMI. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Gong Badak Campus and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) students by using the convenience sampling. Each participant was given a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic details, anthropometric assessment and beverage intake. The results revealed that half of the students consumed 2 cups (500 mL) of SSBs on average days (49.4%), whereas 21.7% of them consumed at least 3 cups daily. It was found that sweetened tea was the students’ most preferred SSB and there was also an association between the SSB consumption and the BMI. In conclusion, university students in Kuala Nerus drink 2 cups of SSBs daily and sweetened tea is their preferred SSB. Since the students’ SSB consumption influences their BMI, these students must be aware on the contents of SSB and the related health consequences in order to reduce the consumption of these beverages and hence, reduce their BMI to a healthy level.

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