Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: June | Volume: 12 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 205-213
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220627
The Effect of School Food Environment on Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria
Olaitan Bobade1, Afusat Ozoh2
1Intern Dietitian, Dietetics Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.
2Chief Dietitian, Dietetics Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Olaitan Bobade
ABSTRACT
Background: Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a behaviour commonly shared among adolescent friendship groups especially in schools, where there is a high availability of such beverages. Due to the likelihood for this dietary habit to continue into adulthood, adolescents should be targeted for interventions to decrease sugar-sweetened beverages intake. This study investigated how the school environment impacts the consumption pattern of sugar-sweetened beverages in adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted among 100 adolescents from 2 secondary schools. Consumption pattern of sugar-sweetened beverages was collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Data on exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages was collected by the interviewer. Carbonated soft drinks and fruit drinks were the only sugar-sweetened beverages categories assessed. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data with significance judged at p<0.05.
Results: There was high exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages within the school food environment. Carbonated soft drink was the more frequently consumed beverage. Majority (67.1%) of the respondents consumed either of the two sugar-sweetened beverages at least 7 times in a week. However, when comparing frequency and location of consumption, both beverages were individually consumed more frequently outside school. Overall, there was no significant association between the school-food environment and sugar-sweetened beverages consumption pattern.
Conclusion: Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents may be associated with other environmental influences outside schools. Public health nutrition interventions to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents should not be limited to schools alone.
Key words: Sugar-sweetened beverages, adolescents, school food environment.