Abstract
Objectives This study aims to characterize the consumption of sweetened beverages (SB) among young people in Germany
in terms of individual and interpersonal-environmental correlates.
Methods
A representative sample of children and adolescents from Germany was assessed twice, 6 years apart (total
longitudinal sample n = 11,691 children and adolescents aged between 0 and 17 years old; weighted). The relations
between individual and interpersonal-environmental factors at baseline with SB intake 6 years later were analysed using
bivariate and multivariate methods.
Results
The majority of children and adolescents in Germany consume sweetened beverages weekly, 23% daily. SB
consumption is particularly high in boys and often accompanied by other unhealthy lifestyle behaviours including a high
level of tobacco and media consumption with a concurrent deficiency in fruit and vegetable consumption. Interpersonal
factors associated with higher sweetened beverage consumption include low socio-economic status, tobacco consumption
of parents, and older maternal age.
Conclusions
Research on factors that correlate with sweetened beverage consumption is crucial to design effective
interventions. Our findings underline the importance of complex, multi-level interventions to target sweetened beverage
intake and obesity.
