Soda Consumption and BMI in College Students

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine soda consumption patterns and associations with body mass index (BMI) in college males and females. METHODS: Students enrolled in a university required wellness course (410 males, 211 females, mean age 19.25 +/−2.27y) completed a comprehensive online health survey, including a question on daily consumption of sugar-added soda. Soda consumption was categorized as light (<12 oz) moderate (13-24 oz) heavy (25-36 oz) and excessive (>36 oz). BMI was calculated from directly measured height and weight, and students were categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese for comparison of mean soda consumption. One-way analysis of variance was done to determine the differences in mean soda consumption across BMI categories. RESULTS: No difference was found for mean soda consumption between genders, although the range of consumption for men was much greater. Also, a greater proportion of men reported heavy or excessive soda consumption than did women (25% and 13%, respectively, (χ2 = 9.192, p=0.03). However, a greater proportion of women (57%) reported no regular soda consumption compared to men (35%) (χ2 = 30.591, p<0.001). When grouped by BMI category there was a significant difference in soda consumption in men (F=3.561, p=0.014), but not in women (F=1.134, p=0.336). Post-hoc test result shows that obese men drink significantly more regular soda than normal weight men (40.57 ozvs. 19.30 oz, p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Previous observational research has attempted to associate increased soda consumption with increased BMI, especially in youth and adolescents, with mixed results. The results of this study support the concept that increased BMI is associated with greater amounts of regular soda consumption in college students. Although the soda consumption difference across BMI categories was only significant in men, women nonetheless showed a similar trend. Also, unlike youth and adolescents, college students have almost complete freedom of their daily beverage choice, and may need greater awareness of the risks associated with regular soda consumption. The lack of significance for women may be attributed to both the smaller range of soda consumption and the smaller sample size.