CARBONATED SOFT DRINK CONSUMPTION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN DELHI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY WITH PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Over the past two decades, the soft drink industry has come to withhold more than half of the beverage industry in India. And, of note, it’s children, adolescents and young adults that form the bulk of consumers. To assess the general pattern of consumption, preferences and awareness regarding carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) among young adults, we carried out a survey (n=850) among individuals of the age group 18-26. Taste (66.94%) formed the major impulse for consumption. Coca-cola (32.11%) was the most preferred drink followed by Sprite (10.59%), Pepsi (8.71%) and Mountain Dew (8.35%). Majority (45.65%) preferred CSDs packed in plastic bottles and most (78.35%) consumed ≤500 ml CSD per day. Although 76.24% believed that CSDs cause health problems, still they reported to consume these drinks in parties or whenever they liked. Among respondents who were not much health conscious, there was a relative higher ignorance with respect to prospective diseases and contaminants. 24.12% of respondents honestly claimed that despite having knowledge of hazardous effects of CSDs on their health, they would continue the consumption anyway while 35.06% said ‘No’ and 40.82% were ‘not sure’. To conclude, the CSD consumption was not rampant in our study sample, however, it was found to be a significant factor for increasing risk of diabetes in adults. Plastic toxicity was identified as another health hazard, and was a factor of concern. Hence, there is an urgent need to disseminate knowledge about the health risks associated with excessive CSD consumption.