Soft and energy drinks consumption and associated factors in Saudi adults: a national cross-sectional study

Abeer M Aljaadi; Abrar Turki; Arwa Z Gazzaz; Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani; Nora A Althumiri; Nasser F BinDhim

doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1286633

Soft and energy drinks consumption and associated factors in Saudi adults: a national cross-sectional study

Front Nutr. 2023 Dec 4:10:1286633. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1286633. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Abeer M Aljaadi¹, Abrar Turki², Arwa Z Gazzaz³, Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani⁴, Nora A Althumiri^{5

6}, Nasser F BinDhim^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
² Clinical Nutrition Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Sharik Association for Research and Studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Informed Decision Making, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Introduction: The consumption of soft and energy drinks poses a significant risk for non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Studies in Saudi Arabia have reported elevated consumption of soft/energy drinks, but nation-wide data is not available. Therefore, this study aims to explore the prevalence of soft and energy drinks consumption and its associated factors among a representative sample of Saudi adults.

Methods: The present research is a secondary data analysis of the 2021 Sharik Diet and Health National Survey (SDHNS). Current analysis used data on socio-demographics, anthropometrics, physical activity, and soft and energy drink consumption. The frequency of soft and energy drinks consumption is assessed on a weekly basis.

Results: Of the 5,194 Saudi adults, 3,928 were analyzed. Overall, 67% consumed soft drinks weekly, while 30% consumed energy drinks weekly. In multiple logistic regression, consumption of either soft drinks or energy drinks was associated with males, a younger age, lower income, and lower physical activity. Individuals with overweight or obesity were less likely to consume energy drinks [OR (95%CI): 0.83 (0.71, 0.99) and 0.73 (0.60, 0.90), respectively] than those with healthy weight. However, education level was not associated with either soft or energy drink consumption. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions designed to reduce soft and energy drinks consumption in Saudi adults.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; adults; consumption; energy drink; obesity; overweight; soft drink; survey.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by the Sharik Association for Research and Studies.