CA Study Shows Soda Consumption Increases for Adolescents, Decreases in Children

A recent study shows that soda consumption is down in California, which appears to be due to the help of several health campaigns advocated in the area for better diet.

According to the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), children under 12 are drinking less soda and even though the survey found that a dip in this age group, it also showed that adolescents in the area are drinking more soda.

The study gathered data on over 40,000 California households, focusing on soda consumption of youth between the ages of two and 17. The research team focused on consumption rates in 2005-2007 and again in 2011-2012. The study looked at county-by-county soda consumption rates that were calculated with the help of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.

"California has made real progress in reducing the consumption of sugary beverages among young children," Dr. Susan Babey, the report's lead author said, via Medical Xpress. "But teens are in trouble. Soda or sports drinks should be an occasional treat, not a daily habit. If this trend isn't reversed, there may be costly consequences for teens, their families and the health care system in the form of increased obesity and diabetes."

Findings showed that children between six and 11's soda consumption fell from 43 percent in 2005-2007 to 32 percent in 2011-2012. Soda consumption dropped from 27 to 19 percent for the age group of two to five. Yet despite these dips, researchers also found that the age group of 12 to 17 had higher consumption rates, with an increase of up to five percent.

The researchers looked at various factors in order to determine the amount of soda consumption in the area. Ethnic groups showed that 74 percent of African-Americans and 73 percent of Latino adolescents reported drinking at least one sweetened drink each day. Unfortunately, the study also showed a dramatic increase of soda in Asian populations.

With an increased awareness regarding the consequences of ingesting too many sweet drinks, researchers hope that this and other findings can show cause for concern and prompt change.

More information regarding the study can be found via the article "Still Bubbling Over: California Adolescents Drinking More Soda and Other Sugar-Sweetened Beverages," via the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.