Obese Adolescents Are Less Active Than Their Normal-Weight Peers,but Wherein Lies the Difference?

BackgroundObese adolescents achieve less moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than normal-weight adolescents, but the nature and extent of the deficit is unclear. This study aimed to describe differences in MVPA across weight status categories by domain of activity (sport, play, and active transport) and specific activity-sets (e.g. team sports, playground games, and chores) using minutes of activity, estimated intensity, and estimated energy expenditure as metrics of MVPA.MethodAnthropometric, use-of-time, and pedometer data were collected on a random sample of 2,200 Australian children aged 9–16 years. Minutes of activity, intensity metabolic equivalents of tasks (METs), and energy expenditure (MET.min) within each domain were estimated using an energy cost compendium.ResultsObese adolescents reported 174 MET.min/d lower MVPA energy expenditure than normal-weight peers (p < .0001), more than accounting for the entire difference in total daily energy expenditure (154 MET.min/d). Of this difference, 121 MET.min/d was associated with lower sports participation (p < .0001) and 45 MET.min/d with less free play (p = .03). There were no differences in minutes of active transport or in reported activity intensity across weight status categories in sport, free play, or active transport. The differences in MVPA participation between obese and normal-weight adolescents were largely because of different levels of participation in team sports, cycling, partner sports (boys), and dancing (girls).ConclusionMore than two-thirds of the difference in energy expenditure between obese and normal-weight Australian adolescents was because of lower participation in sport. Strategies for engaging obese adolescents in sport may help to redress deficits in energy expenditure.     

Soft Drink Consumption and Mental Health in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Examination

PurposePrevious studies showed associations between soft drink consumption and mental health problems in adolescents, but the direction of these effects is unknown. This study examines the hypotheses that soft drink consumption predicts aggression and depressive symptoms over time and that these mental health problems predict soft drink consumption.MethodsInterviews were conducted with 5,147 children and their caregivers from three sites at child ages 11, 13, and 16. At each time point, youth reported on their frequency of consuming soft drinks, aggressive behavior, and depressive symptoms. An autoregressive cross-lagged path model tested reciprocal relationships between soft drink consumption, aggressive behavior, and depressive symptoms over time.ResultsMore frequent consumption of soft drinks was associated with more aggressive behavior at each time point and depressive symptoms at ages 11 and 13 (r = .04 to .18, p ≤ .002). After adjusting for covariates and stability of each behavior over time, soft drink consumption at ages 11 and 13 predicted more aggressive behavior at the next time point (β = .08 and .06, p < .001). Aggressive behavior at age 13 also predicted more soft drink consumption at age 16 (β = .06, p = .002). Soft drink consumption at age 13 predicted fewer depressive symptoms (β = ?.04, p = .007), but depressive symptoms did not predict soft drink consumption.ConclusionsMore frequent consumption of soft drinks may contribute to aggressive behavior in adolescents over time; there is some support for reciprocal relationships. There is no evidence for soft drink consumption contributing to adolescents' depression. Future research should examine longitudinal effects over shorter intervals.     

Energy Drinks and Sports Performance,Cardiovascular Risk,and Genetic Associations; Future Prospects

The consumption of energy drinks (e.g., containing caffeine and taurine) has increased over the last decade among adolescents and athletes to enhance their cognitive level and improve intellectual and athletic performance. Numerous studies have shown that drinking moderate doses of such drinks produces beneficial effects, as they considerably boost the sporting performance of elite athletes in various sports, including both endurance and explosive events. However, apart from their ergogenic effects, the regular consumption of energy drinks also increases blood pressure and consequently incites problems such as hypertension, tachycardia, and nervousness, all of which can lead to cardiovascular disorders. A potential positive correlation between genetics and the moderate consumption of energy drinks and athletic performance has recently been reported; notwithstanding, a better understanding of the genetic variants involved in metabolism is a key area for future research to optimize the dose of energy drink consumed and obtain the maximal ergogenic effect in elite sports. The aim of this literature review, therefore, is to present the results of recent studies, classifying them according to the differences in the associations between energy drinks and: (i) Athletic performance; (ii) cardiovascular risk factors while practicing sports; and (iii) genetic associations and future prospects between the consumption of energy drinks and performance.     

Determinants of the Consumption of Regular Soda,Sport, and Energy Beverages in Spanish Adolescents

Increasing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption and associated health impacts warrant health-policy action. We assessed associations of socioeconomic and lifestyle variables with adolescents’ consumption of regular soda (RSD), sport (SD), and energy (ED) drinks. Cross-sectional study of 3930 Spanish adolescents (2089 girls, 1841 boys) aged 13–18 years). We compared frequency of consuming each SSB type (European Food Safety Authority questionnaire) with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables (standardized questions). RSD, SD, and ED were consumed at least weekly by 72.7%, 32.3%, and 12.3% of participants, respectively, and more frequently (p < 0.001) by boys, compared to girls. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression showed inverse association between RSD, SD, and ED consumption and parental occupation-based socioeconomic status (p < 0.01). Daily smoking was associated (p < 0.001) with higher ED (OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.39–5.55) and RSD (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.56–2.97) consumptions. SD intake was associated inversely with smoking (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.89, p = 0.012) and directly with physical activity (OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.18–3.95, p < 0.001). School performance was lower among ED (OR 2.14, 95% CI, 1.37–3.35, p = 0.001) and RSD (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.24–2.64, p = 0.002) consumers, compared to SD. Maleness and low socioeconomic status predicted SSB consumption. Smoking and low school performance were associated with higher ED and RSD intakes.     

Is the Consumption of Energy Drinks Associated With Academic Achievement Among College Students?

Despite widely reported side effects, use of energy drinks has increased among college students, who report that they consume energy drinks to help them complete schoolwork. However, little is known about the association between energy drink use and academic performance. We explored the relationship between energy drink consumption and current academic grade point average (GPA) among first-year undergraduate students. Participants included 844 first-year undergraduates (58.1 % female; 50.7 % White). Students reported their health behaviors via an online survey. We measured energy drink consumption with two measures: past month consumption by number of drinks usually consumed in 1 month and number consumed during the last occasion of consumption. We used multiple linear regression modeling with energy drink consumption and current GPA, controlling for gender, race, weekend and weekday sleep duration, perceived stress, perceived stress management, media use, and past month alcohol use. We found that past month energy drink consumption quantity by frequency (p < 0.001), and energy drinks consumed during the last occasion (p < 0.001), were associated with a lower GPA. Energy drinks consumed during the last occasion of consumption (p = 0.01) remained significantly associated with a lower GPA when controlling for alcohol use. While students report using energy drinks for school-related reasons, our findings suggest that greater energy drink consumption is associated with a lower GPA, even after controlling for potential confounding variables. Longitudinal research is needed that addresses whether GPA declines after continued use of energy drinks or if students struggling academically turn to energy drinks to manage their schoolwork.     

Soft Drink Consumption Patterns Among Western Australians

ObjectiveTo examine soft drink consumption across age, gender, socioeconomic, and body weight status groups within an adolescent and adult population.DesignCross-sectional telephone survey.ParticipantsWestern Australian residents (n = 1,015) aged 16–65 years, selected through random dialing.Variables MeasuredFrequency and quantity of sugar-sweetened and diet soft drinks consumption, sociodemographic characteristics.AnalysisThe Kruskal-Wallis test of association for non-parametric data was used to explore differences in quantity of soft drinks consumed. Logistic regression models used to explore type of soft drinks consumed by sociodemographic factors and weight status.ResultsA greater proportion of females consumed no soft drinks (29.2%) or diet soft drinks only (20.9%), compared with males (21.7% and 14.0%, respectively) (P < .05). The youngest (16–24 years) consumers of sugar-sweetened soft drinks consumed twice (median, 3 cups/wk) as much as the eldest (55–65 years) (1.5 cups/wk) (P < .05). Respondents classified as overweight or obese were 1.7 times more likely to drink both sugar-sweetened and diet soft drinks compared with other respondents (P = .02).Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study identified a high prevalence of soft drink consumption within the population (74.5%). These results identify young people (16–24 years of age), as well as males, as population groups to target through public health interventions to reduce soft drink consumption.     

Sugary drink consumption behaviours among young adults at university

Aim: Sugary drink consumption is associated with weight gain, and young adults are the highest consumers. To inform a university healthy beverage intervention, we studied the settings and the types and amounts of sugary drinks consumed by a sample drawn from the student population. Methods: Fifty university students (24 male) were recruited to keep records of all beverages consumed over four consecutive days. The records were analysed by gender, drink category and consumption setting. Results: Males drank marginally more sugary drinks than females (median daily intake of 526 mL compared with 300 mL, P = 0.06). Median energy intake from sugary drinks was 928 kJ for males and 481 kJ for females. Carbonated soft drinks and fruit‐based drinks accounted for 64% of energy from sugary drinks for males; and fruit and sweetened milk‐based drinks accounted for 68% of energy for females. Half of all sugary drink consumption occurred at home followed by social settings. Conclusion: Health promotion programmes aiming to reduce sugary drink consumption in this group would benefit from gender‐differentiated strategies with respect to types of drinks consumed with a focus on the home and social settings.     

Association between adolescents’ consumption of total and different types of sugar‐sweetened beverages with oral health impacts and weight status

Objective: To examine the associations between adolescents’ intake of sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) with oral health impacts (OHI) and weight status. Methods: Cross‐sectional health survey with anthropometry and self‐report OHI (toothache and avoiding some foods because of oral problems) and SSB intake (fruit juice, flavoured water, soft, diet, sports and energy drinks) collected in 2015. Results: A total of 3,671 adolescents participated (50% girls; mean age 13.2 years ±1.7). Drinking ≥1cup/day of SSBs was consistently associated with higher odds of OHI compared with drinking <1cup/day: diet soft drinks (AOR, 5.21 95%CI 2.67, 10.18); sports drinks (AOR 3.60 95%CI 1.93, 6.73); flavoured water (AOR 3.07 95%CI 1.55, 6.06); and energy drinks (AOR 2.14 95%CI 1.44, 3.19). Daily SSB intake was not consistently associated with weight status. The odds of overweight/obesity (AOR 1.27 95%CI 1.01, 1.59) and obesity (AOR 1.61 95%CI 1.01, 2.57) were higher for energy drink consumption, compared with not drinking energy drinks; and the odds of abdominal obesity were twice as high among adolescents who drank ≥1cup/day of sports drinks, compared with <1cup/day intake. Conclusions: Daily consumption of SSBs is prevalent among adolescents and is consistently associated with higher odds of OHI. The most popular SSBs among adolescents were energy drinks. Different types of SSB were differentially associated with OHI and weight status. Implications for public health: Different types of SSBs were differentially associated with OHI and weight status in adolescents. Diet soft drinks and new generation SSBs such as energy and sport drinks and flavoured water had a greater impact on adolescents’ OHI compared with soft drinks and fruit juice.     

Abstracts of Articles on Nutrition and Bone Loss

Objective: To identify if particular foods or food groups may be associated with obesity in children and adolescents and to determine if consuming food away from home (FAFH) has an effect on the nutritional quality of their diets.

Design: One-year cross-sectional study.

Setting/Subjects: The obese subjects (n = 91) were on the waiting list for a hospital-based weight control treatment program. The non-obese subjects (n = 90) were recruited from community advertisements.

Measures of Outcome: Information on food intake was obtained using the dietary history method by a Registered Dietitian. Body fat was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results: Obese children and adolescents consumed significantly more servings of meat and alternatives, grain products, FAFH, sugar-sweetened drinks and potato chips which contributed to a higher calorie, fat and sugar intake compared to non-obese children and adolescents. Sugar-sweetened drinks were only significantly greater in boys. The consumption of meat servings, sugar-sweetened drinks and FAFH was positively correlated with percent body fat. The frequency of food consumed outside of the Canada’s Food Guide To Healthy Eating was not different between the two groups.

Conclusions: Obese children and adolescents need to limit their access to food consumed away from home and sugar-sweetened drinks as there is a relationship between these foods and body fatness.     

Consumption Patterns of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in the United States

BackgroundFew previous studies have investigated consumption distributions of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) over time and individual-level associations despite recent interest in SSBs regarding obesity control.ObjectiveTo assess consumption patterns and individual-level associations.DesignTrend and cross-sectional analyses of 24-hour dietary recall data and demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status (SES) drawn from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008) data.Participants/settingChildren (aged 2 to 11 years, n=8,627), adolescents (aged 12 to 19 years, n=8,922), young adults (aged 20 to 34 years, n=5,933), and middle-aged and elder adults (aged ≥35 years, n=16,456).Statistical analyses performedAge-stratified regression analyses for SSBs overall and by subtypes.ResultsThe prevalence of heavy total SSB consumption (≥500 kcal/day) increased among children (4% to 5%) although it decreased among adolescents (22% to 16%) and young adults (29% to 20%). Soda was the most heavily consumed SSB in all age groups except for children. Prevalence of soda consumption decreased, whereas heavy sports/energy drink consumption tripled (4% to 12%) among adolescents. Black children and adolescents showed higher odds of heavy fruit drink consumption (odds ratios 1.71 and 1.67) than whites. Low-income children had a higher odds of heavy total SSB consumption (odds ratio 1.93) and higher energy intake from total SSBs and fruit drinks (by 23 and 27 kcal/day) than high-income children. Adolescents with low- vs high-educated parents had higher odds of heavy total SSB consumption (odds ratio 1.28) and higher energy intake from total SSBs and soda (by 27 and 21 kcal/day). Low vs high SES was associated with a higher odds of heavy consumption of total SSBs, soda, and fruit drinks among adults.ConclusionsPrevalence of soda consumption fell, but consumption of nontraditional SSBs rose. Heterogeneity of heavy consumption by SSB types across racial/ethnic subpopulations and higher odds of heavy SSB consumption among low-SES populations should be considered in targeting policies to encourage healthful beverage consumption.     

Evaluation of Drinks Contribution to Energy Intake in Summer and Winter

All drinks hydrate and most also provide nutrients and energy. Our objective was to evaluate the contribution of drinks to total energy intake in summer and winter. Data were obtained using the Water Balance Questionnaire (WBQ) from a sample of the general population in Athens, Greece (n = 984), 473 individuals (42 ± 18 years) in summer and 511 individuals (38 ± 20 years) in winter stratified by sex and age. The WBQ embeds a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire of 58 foods and the Short International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed for the contribution of drinks to total energy intake. In winter, total energy intake was 2082 ± 892 kcal/day; energy intake from drinks was 479 ± 286 kcal/day and energy expenditure 1860 ± 390 kcal/day. In summer, total energy intake was 1890 ± 894 kcal/day, energy intake from drinks 492 ± 499 kcal/day and energy expenditure 1830 ± 491 kcal/day. Energy intake from drinks in summer was higher than in winter (p < 0.001) and in men higher than in women in both seasons (p < 0.001 in summer, p = 0.02 in winter). Coffee, coffee drinks, milk, chocolate milk and alcoholic drinks contributed approximately 75% of energy from drinks. Fruit juice and sugar-sweetened drinks, including soft drinks and fruit juice based drinks, were consumed less frequently contributing up to 25% of drink energy intake. Drinks contribute approximately 1/4 of total energy intake depending on the energy content of the drink and frequency of consumption. Coffee, dairy and alcoholic drinks were the main energy contributors.     

Habits of Energy Drink Consumption among Teens in Slovenia – Focus Group Findings

IntroductionTeachers in Slovenia have been noticing the increased consumption of energy drinks among pupils. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate habits that contribute to the frequency of energy drink consumption.Method36 teens participated in the study: elementary school pupils (6th and 8th grades), general upper secondary school pupils, and secondary technical school pupils (1st and 3rd year). In the course of the study 6 group interviews were held to help investigate young people’s habits and their reasons for energy drink purchase and consumption. Moreover, we investigated the influence of age on the consumption and knowledge about energy drink ingredients, as well as their influence on the body.ResultsInterview analysis showed that energy drink consumers are predominantly secondary school pupils. Their choice most frequently depends on the price, their taste, or the brand. What influences elementary school pupils’ purchasing decisions are price, packaging, and advertisements, while secondary school pupils choose their drinks according to the lack of energy and how tired they feel. The predominant factors preventing energy drink consumption are health problems among family members and friends. Secondary school pupils know more about energy drink ingredients than elementary school pupils.ConclusionOn the basis of these findings, we will design a survey questionnaire for Slovenian teenagers and teachers, didactic material, and suggestions for improving educational programmes.     

Influence of the San Francisco,CA, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Health Warning on Consumer Reactions: Implications for Equity from a Randomized Experiment

BackgroundIn 2020, San Francisco, CA, amended an ordinance requiring warning labels on advertisements for sugary drinks to update the warning message. No studies have evaluated consumer responses to the revised message.ObjectivesTo evaluate responses to the 2020 San Francisco sugary drink warning label and to assess whether these responses differ by demographic characteristics.DesignRandomized experiment.Participants and settingDuring 2020, a convenience sample of US parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years (N = 2,160 included in primary analyses) was recruited via an online panel to complete a survey. Oversampling was used to achieve a diverse sample (49% Hispanic/Latino[a], 34% non-Hispanic Black, and 9% non-Hispanic White).MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to view a control label (“Always read the Nutrition Facts Panel”) or the 2020 San Francisco sugary drink warning label (“SAN FRANCISCO GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) can cause weight gain, which increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.”). Messages were shown in white text on black rectangular labels.Main outcome measuresParticipants rated the labels on thinking about health harms of sugary drink consumption (primary outcome) and perceived discouragement from wanting to consume sugary drinks. The survey was available in English and Spanish.Statistical analyses performedOrdinary least squares regression.ResultsThe San Francisco warning label elicited more thinking about health harms (Cohen’s d = 0.24; P < 0.001) than the control label. The San Francisco warning label also led to more discouragement from wanting to consume sugary drinks than the control label (d = 0.31; P < 0.001). The warning label’s influence on thinking about harms did not differ by any participant characteristics, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, or language of survey administration (all P values for interactions > 0.12).ConclusionsSan Francisco’s 2020 sugary drink warning label may be a promising policy for informing consumers and encouraging healthier beverage choices across groups with diverse demographic characteristics.     

Energy-drink consumption in college students and associated factors

Objective

To investigate the frequency of energy-drink consumption and associated factors in a group of college students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hacettepe University (Ankara, Turkey) and included 439 students pursuing a career in medicine, sports, and arts. Only fourth-year students were approached. Data were collected using a self-administered standard questionnaire.

Results

In bivariate analyses, frequency of energy-drink consumption was higher in students of arts and sports and in those who did not have breakfast on a regular basis, ever smoked cigarettes, drank alcoholic beverages, and regularly engaged in sports compared with their counterparts. Many students who had “ever” tried an energy drink did so the first time because they wondered about its taste. Of regular users of energy drinks, reasons for using such drinks varied across the three selected groups of students and included obtaining getting energy, staying awake, boosting performance while doing sports, or mixing with alcoholic beverages. About 40% of all current users of energy drinks reported that they mixed those with alcoholic beverages. In multivariate analyses, statistically significant predictors of energy-drink consumption were faculty type, presence of any health insurance, use of alcoholic beverages, and monthly income, controlling for gender. Most students could not correctly define the ingredients of energy drinks or their potential hazardous health effects, and they could not distinguish energy and sports drinks when they were requested to select them from a list of commercial names of various drinks.

Conclusion

Consumption of energy drinks, despite the variation in the reason for choosing such drinks, is quite common in college students. Awareness of university students of the ingredients and potential health hazards of energy drinks, in particular in mixing with alcoholic beverages, should be increased.     

Dietary and Weight-Related Behaviors and Body Mass Index among Hispanic,Hmong, Somali,and White Adolescents

BackgroundThe population of the United States is becoming increasingly ethnically and racially diverse, much of it due to immigration patterns. However, little is known about dietary intake and weight-related concerns and behaviors of youth from some ethnic-minority groups, especially Hispanic, Hmong, and Somali adolescents.ObjectiveOur aim was to describe dietary intake and weight-related concerns and behaviors among Hispanic, Hmong, and Somali adolescents and compare them with white adolescents.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from Eating and Activity in Teens 2010, a population-based study in the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area.Participants/settingCurrent analysis includes 1,672 adolescents (Hispanic: n=562 [33.6%]; Hmong: n=477 [28.5%]; Somali: n=113 [6.8%]; white: n=520 [31.1%]; mean age=15.0 years). Adolescents completed classroom surveys and had their height/weight measured during the 2009-2010 academic year.Statistical analysisMultivariable regression models, adjusted for socioeconomic status, age, and school as a random effect were used to examine racial/ethnic differences for each outcome variable for boys and girls.ResultsThere were numerous differences in the behaviors of Hispanic, Hmong, and Somali adolescents as compared with whites. Hispanic and Somali youth consumed fruit and fast food more frequently. Hmong adolescents consumed sugar-sweetened beverages less frequently, and Somali boys consumed energy and sport drinks more frequently than whites. Compared with white boys, overweight/obesity was higher among Hispanic and Hmong. A higher percentage of Hmong and Somali adolescents engaged in unhealthy weight control behaviors. Body satisfaction was lower for all Hmong adolescents compared with whites.ConclusionsThere were varying areas of concern in dietary intake, weight, and weight-related concerns and behaviors among adolescents in all ethnic groups. Future nutrition and physical activity interventions that include adolescents from these ethnic and cultural groups can benefit from, for example, modifying intervention strategies to the specific priority behaviors within the target population.     

Is alcohol mixed with energy drinks consumption associated with susceptibility to smoking?

ObjectiveThis paper examines whether adolescent students in Canada who have never smoked but who drink alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) are more susceptible to smoking than those who do not consume AmED.MethodsA nationally representative sample of 15,875 never-smoking students in grades 9 to 12 from the 2010–2011 Canadian Youth Smoking Survey is used. The association between AmED and susceptibility to smoking is examined using a logistic regression.ResultsAbout 28% of the never-smoking adolescents in grades 9 to 12 are susceptible to smoking, and 13% report using AmED. Results of the adjusted logistic regression analysis show a statistically significant positive association between consuming AmED and susceptibility to smoking. Never-smoking students who reported using AmED are more susceptible to smoking when compared with those who have not consumed AmED (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.71–2.10). Similar results are obtained when the analysis is stratified by gender.ConclusionsThe consumption of AmED is associated with higher odds of smoking susceptibility among Canadian adolescents. AmED use could be a potential marker for smoking susceptibility among never-smoking adolescents.     

Consumption patterns of sweet drinks in a population of Australian children and adolescents (2003--2008)

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Intake of sweet drinks has previously been associated with the development of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. The present study aimed to assess the consumption pattern of sweet drinks in a population of children and adolescents in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Data on 1,604 children and adolescents (4--18 years) from the comparison groups of two quasi-experimental intervention studies from Victoria, Australia were analysed. Sweet drink consumption (soft drink and fruit juice/cordial) was assessed as one day's intake and typical intake over the last week or month at two time points between 2003 and 2008 (mean time between measurement: 2.2 years). RESULTS: Assessed using dietary recalls, more than 70% of the children and adolescents consumed sweet drinks, with no difference between age groups (p = 0.28). The median intake among consumers was 500 ml and almost a third consumed more than 750 ml per day. More children and adolescents consumed fruit juice/cordial (69%) than soft drink (33%) (p < 0.0001) and in larger volumes (median intake fruit juice/cordial: 500 ml and soft drink: 375 ml). Secular changes in sweet drink consumption were observed with a lower proportion of children and adolescents consuming sweet drinks at time 2 compared to time 1 (significant for age group 8 to <10 years, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The proportion of Australian children and adolescents from the state of Victoria consuming sweet drinks has been stable or decreasing, although a high proportion of this sample consumed sweet drinks, especially fruit juice/cordial at both time points.     

Perceptions of Food Advertising and Association With Consumption of Energy-Dense Nutrient-Poor Foods Among Adolescents in the United States: Results From a National Survey

The advertising and marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) food and drink has been cited as one contributor to unhealthy eating behaviors in adolescents. The present study examines perceptions about and trust in food advertising and their association with consumption of EDNP foods and drinks among adolescents in the United States. Data (n = 1,384) come from the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Survey. One way ANOVAs were conducted to assess differences between population subgroups in advertising perceptions. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the associations between perceptions toward and trust in food advertising and consumption of EDNP foods and drinks, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Results show that there are significant differences between racial/ethnic groups on advertising perceptions (F = 16.32, p = < .0001). As positive perceptions toward food advertising increase among adolescents, there is an associated increase in daily frequency of consumption of EDNP foods and drinks (β = 0.10, p < .01). Similarly, the more adolescents agreed that they trusted food advertising, the higher the reported daily frequency of EDNP food and drink consumption (β = 0.08, p = .01). Targeting perceptions about food advertising may be a worthy intervention strategy to reduce the impact of food marketing and the consumption of heavily advertised EDNP foods and drinks among adolescents.