Consumption patterns of sugar-sweetened beverages among tertiary institution students in Abeokuta, Nigeria and their association with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes using FINDRISC

Abstract

Background: High consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), overweight and obesity have been associated with the risk of developing type-2 diabetes melitus (T2DM). Aims:  This study was aimed at assessing the pattern of consumption of SSBs and factors associated with the risk of developing T2DM within ten years among emerging adults in Abeokuta, (Nigeria).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 350 students in public tertiary institutions in Abeokuta was done using stratified random sampling. Data on SSBs consumption pattern and risk of developing T2DM was obtained using validated questionnaire. Height, weight and waist circumference (used to assess abdominal obesity (AO) were measured using standard procedures.  Body mass index (BMI/BMI-for-age) was calculated. Fischer’s exact test and binary logistic regression were used to test for associations among variables.

Results: Most (62.9%) of the respondents were female and within the age-range of 20-24 years. Carbonated drink was consumed the most by the study population (99.7%). Consumers of carbonated drink for > 2 times / week were more overweight (27.3%) and obese (12.0%). Consumption of fruit drink (OR= 15.2, 95% CI= 1.971, 117.400), malt drink (OR= 3.2, 95% CI= 1.862, 5.571), and beverage (OR= 2.9, 95% CI = 1.293, 6.899) for > 2 times/per week increased the odd of developing diabetes.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of consumption of SSBs. Increased frequency of consuming SSBs increased the chances of consumers to be overweight and obese. This combined with other risk factors may place them at risk of developing non-communicable diseases like T2DM.