Association between added sugar consumption in foods and beverages and body mass index among adolescents in university southern Thailand: a cross-sectional study

Jaruneth Petchoo; Benjamas Kongnun; Sunisa Mahmeen; Waraporn Tohsan; Ratchadaporn Yooying

doi:10.32394/rpzh.2024.0293

Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny (Apr 2024)

Association between added sugar consumption in foods and beverages and body mass index among adolescents in university southern Thailand: a cross-sectional study

Jaruneth Petchoo,
Benjamas Kongnun,
Sunisa Mahmeen,
Waraporn Tohsan,
Ratchadaporn Yooying

Affiliations

Jaruneth Petchoo: ORCiD; Department of Community Public Health, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Food Technology and Innovation Research Center of Excellence, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
Benjamas Kongnun: Department of Community Public Health, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
Sunisa Mahmeen: Department of Community Public Health, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
Waraporn Tohsan: Department of Community Public Health, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
Ratchadaporn Yooying: Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh.2024.0293
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 75, no. 1
pp. 5 – 11

Abstract

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Background. Excessive consumption of added sugar is an essential contributing factor to weight gain in adolescence, leading to non-communicable diseases. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the added sugar consumption in foods and beverages and determine the association between free sugar consumption and BMI status. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 adolescents in university (18-22 years) recruited from undergraduate students at different schools. The information was acquired using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Adjusted binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between added sugar consumption in foods and beverages and nutritional status. Results. Half of the participants had a BMI status in the normal range (51.8%). A large percentage of adolescents had eaten staple food only two times and did not have breakfast (49%). Additionally, most of the student did not eat a snack or drink beverages (57.7%). Consumption of vegetables, fruit, meat, and milk was higher in obese subjects than other groups. The results showed that adolescents consumed more added sugar (79.2%) than is recommended by the WHO. The majority of added sugar consumption were beverages (46.5%). The findings revealed that added sugar consumption among undergraduate students did not differ significantly depending on BMI. Conclusion. This study indicated that added sugar consumption in university students exceeded the WHO recommendation, although there was no discernible difference in BMI status. The results would be useful for further study and may help dietitians provide appropriate nutrition education or campaigns to reduce added sugar consumption in Thai and Southeast Asia university students.

Published in Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

ISSN: 0035-7715 (Print); 2451-2311 (Online)
Publisher: National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene
Country of publisher: Poland
LCC subjects: Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply; Medicine: Internal medicine: Special situations and conditions: Industrial medicine. Industrial hygiene; Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: http://wydawnictwa.pzh.gov.pl/roczniki_pzh/en

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