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Sugar‐Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Young Adults: Understanding Eating Occasion Contextual Factors
Author(s) -
McNaughton Sarah A,
Leech Rebecca M,
Pendergast Felicity J,
Worsley Anthony
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.136.5
Subject(s) - consumption (sociology) , environmental health , young adult , logistic regression , multivariate analysis , psychology , healthy eating , sugar , demography , medicine , food science , physical activity , developmental psychology , social science , chemistry , sociology , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Background/Objectives Young adulthood represents an influential transitional period, marked by poor dietary habits and excess weight gain. Sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of excess caloric intake among young adults, yet little is known about the correlates of SSB consumption. This study examines the correlates of SSB consumption including eating occasion contextual factors, using real‐time assessment of young adults' eating occasions (EOs). Methods Data were collected during the Measuring Meals in Everyday Life (MEALS) study (n=557, adults 18–30 years). Participants reported all foods and beverages consumed over 3–4 non‐consecutive days using a food diary recorded via a Smartphone app. Contextual characteristics such as eating location, purchase location, presence of others and activities while eating were documented in the app at each EO. Information on sociodemographic factors and health behaviours were collected via an online questionnaire. An “eating occasion” was defined as an occasion when any food or beverage was ingested, while a “sugar‐sweetened beverage occasion” was defined as any EO where a SSB was consumed (with or without other items). SSB consumers were categorised as low or high SSB consumers based on the median frequency of consumption. Associations for individual level and EO level characteristics with level of SSB consumption were analysed using multivariate logistic regression, accounting for the clustered nature of the data. Results Overall, 30% of participants consumed SSBs. Most SSBs were consumed: either alone (43%) or with family/partner (42%); at home (50%), and while undertaking screen‐based activities (46%). Most SSBs consumed were purchased from the supermarket/grocery store (58%). Compared to non‐consumers, SSB consumers had a significantly higher BMI (mean [SD]: 23.1 [5.7] v 21.8 [3.9], P<0.001). Being a current/past smoker, being overweight/obese and participating in screen‐based activities were associated with being a high SSB consumer (P<0.01). After adjustment for covariates, smoking status (OR [95% CI]=5.69 [1.98,16.31]; P<0.01) and weight status (2.31 [1.06,5.01]; P<0.05) remained significantly associated with high SSB consumption. Conclusions Almost a third of young adults in this study consumed SSBs and most SSBs were consumed alone or with family/partner, at home and while undertaking screen‐based activities. However, individual factors, rather than EO contextual factors, were more strongly associated with being a high SSB consumer. Future research is needed to explore how SSB occasions differ from other beverage consumption occasions in relation to their accompanying foods and contextual characteristics. Support or Funding Information Australian Research Council, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, National Health and Medical Research Council