Correlates of University Students' Soft and Energy Drink Consumption According to Gender and Residency.

Tom Deliens,Peter Clarys,Benedicte Deforche,Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij

doi:10.3390/nu7085298

Abstract

This study assessed personal and environmental correlates of Belgian university students’ soft and energy drink consumption and investigated whether these associations were moderated by gender or residency. Four hundred twenty-five university students completed a self-reported on-line questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, health status, soft and energy drink consumption, as well as personal and environmental factors related to soft and energy drink consumption. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Students believing soft drink intake should be minimized (individual subjective norm), finding it less difficult to avoid soft drinks (perceived behavioral control), being convinced they could avoid soft drinks in different situations (self-efficacy), having family and friends who rarely consume soft drinks (modelling), and having stricter family rules about soft drink intake were less likely to consume soft drinks. Students showing stronger behavioral control, having stricter family rules about energy drink intake, and reporting lower energy drink availability were less likely to consume energy drinks. Gender and residency moderated several associations between psychosocial constructs and consumption. Future research should investigate whether interventions focusing on the above personal and environmental correlates can indeed improve university students’ beverage choices.

Highlights

IntroductionSugar sweetened beverage consumption (including the full range of soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks) has increased considerably across the globe during the last decades [1,2]
Sugar sweetened beverage consumption has increased considerably across the globe during the last decades [1,2]
Clearly showed that sugar sweetened beverage intake significantly contributes to weight gain and can lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Summary

Introduction

Sugar sweetened beverage consumption (including the full range of soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks) has increased considerably across the globe during the last decades [1,2]. Clearly showed that sugar sweetened beverage intake significantly contributes to weight gain and can lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Typically containing sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, or fruit juice concentrates, may lead to weight gain through the high added sugar content, low satiety, and potential incomplete compensation for total energy, leading to increased energy intake [1]. It is hypothesized that artificially sweetened beverage consumption may be related to weight gain, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Consumption of artificially sweetened beverages has been associated with an increased risk for diabetes [4]

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