Background: The increase in soft drink (SD) consumption is emerging as a serious health issue. Our aim is to explore the prevalence and awareness regarding SD consumption among Saudi students.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1000 apparently healthy Saudi students (527 males, 473 females) aged 16-23 years. A designed questionnaire including various sections was used to obtain the required information.
Results: The BMI and frequency of SD consumption were significantly higher in males (P < 0.001) than females, whereas, females exhibited higher awareness and knowledge regarding SD consumption than males. The SD consumption in females was due to society, taste, availability and markets, whereas in males it was due to cheap price. Females support the implementation of new policies to prevent consumption of SD.
Conclusions: Arab students exhibited a high prevalence of SD consumption especially in males. Although females showed more awareness and knowledge about SD, various misconceptions were notable in both sexes. New policies, health promotion campaigns must be organized to raise awareness among children and parents. Parents and health educators should motivate and encourage the children to consume more water in the context of a healthy balanced diet.
Keywords: BMI; Saudi Arabia; knowledge assessment; soft drink; sugar-sweetened beverages.
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