Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Hawaii teens

Background/Significancy: Obesity is a major health concern and is linked to metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other adverse outcomes. Native Hawaiians are particularly impacted with 31.3% of high school students and 75.5% of adults being overweight or obese. While soda has been identified as contributor to obesity, the extent of consumption of other sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is unclear. Objective/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess consumption of sweetened and beverages among an ethnically diverse group of Hawaii teens. Respondents were asked about consumption, including soda, sports or energy drinks, coffees or teas, and juice drinks (not 100% juice), in the past week. Methods: Researchers used a random-digit dial telephone survey in the summer of 2012 to interview 602 Hawaii youth ages 12-18. The sampling frame included cell phones and landlines, parental consent and participant assent where obtained. Results: In the past week, 67.1% reported drinking at least one soda, followed by juice drinks (63.9%), coffee or tea drinks (48.8%) and sports or energy drinks (41.5%). In all, 93% drank at least one SSB in the past 7 days with 47.8% drinking at least one SSB per day. Overall SSB consumption was higher among males, Native Hawaiians and Filipinos than among whites and Japanese. Overweight and obese teens were more likely to drink soda and sports/energy drinks daily. Discussion/Conclusions: Teens consume a wide variety of SSBs each week. Interventions in this population need to address juice drinks, sweetened coffee and teas, and sports/energy drinks in addition to soda.