Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption and Its Association with Body Mass Index among College Students Living in Dormitory

Abstract

The global prevalence of excess adiposity increases annually, including in Indonesia. High energy intake from sugar becomes a global concern since it causes weight gain, tooth decay, and non-communicable diseases. This cross-sectional study assessed the association between body mass index and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among college students. The study was conducted in Universitas Indonesia, West Java, Indonesia, during March – June 2019. The respondents were 161 college students living in dormitory aged 19-21 years old. They were enrolled using convenience sampling. Anthropometric measurement was obtained to calculate body mass index. The 7-days fluid record was the tool for assessing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The median body mass index was 20.6 (15.11–41.29) kg.m-2, and added sugar intake in beverage was 23.4 (0–134.4) grams per day. 24.2% of respondents had excess adiposity status, and 11.8% of respondents consumed added sugar in beverages exceeding 50 grams a day. Most of the respondents had inadequate total energy intake and low physical activity levels. Adjusted to total energy intake, physical activity level, and gender; body mass index significantly associated with sugar-sweetened beverages consumption in added sugar intake (p-value=0.048, β=1.810, 95% CI 0.014–3.606, r = 0.229, R square=0.028).