Correlates of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents.

Objective: To identify correlates and underlying beliefs regarding the adolescents' intention to abstain from consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and the consumption of <= 1 daily portion of SSB. Design: Correlational study. Setting: Region of Chaudiere-Appalaches in the province of Quebec, Canada. Participants: 311 adolescents aged 13-18 years completed a self-administrated online questionnaire based on the Reasoned Action Approach. Frequency and quantity of different types of SSB within the past month were measured. Results: Total mean SSB intake was 882 center dot 6 ml/d (654 center dot 0 kJ/d ). Only 11 center dot 3 % abstained from SSB within the last month. Intention to abstain from SSB was explained by identification as SSB abstainers (beta= 0 center dot 47), perceived norm (beta= 0 center dot 32), attitude (beta= 0 center dot 30), age 13-14 years (beta= -0 center dot 27) and perception of the school environment (beta= 0 center dot 14), which explained 66 % of the variance. Consumption of <= 1 daily portion of SSB was explained by the intention to abstain (OR = 1 center dot 55; 95 % CI 1 center dot 14, 2 center dot 11), perceived behavioural control to abstain (OR = 1 center dot 80; 95 % CI 1 center dot 29, 2 center dot 52), sex (girlsv. boys: OR = 2 center dot 34; 95 % CI 1 center dot 37, 3 center dot 98) and socio-economic status (advantagedv. disadvantaged school: OR = 2 center dot 08; 95 % CI 1 center dot 21, 3 center dot 56). Underlying beliefs (i.e. more energy, decreased risk of addiction and friends' approval) associated with intention as well as perceived barriers (e.g. access to SSB, after an activity that makes you thirsty), and facilitating factors (e.g. access to water) linked to SSB consumption were identified. Conclusions: The results can inform public health interventions to decrease SSB consumption and their associated health problems among adolescents.