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A survey of sports drinks consumption among adolescents

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posted on 2022-05-20, 14:20 authored by David Broughton, Ruth FairchildRuth Fairchild, Maria Z. Morgan

 Background: Sports drinks intended to improve performance and hydrate athletes taking part in endurance sport are being marketed to children, for whom these products are not intended. Popularity amongst children has grown exponentially, worryingly they consume them socially, as well as during physical activity. Sports drinks are high in sugar and are acidic. Product marketing ignores the potential harmful effects of dental caries and erosion. Objective: To investigate the use of sports drinks by children. Method: 183 self-complete questionnaires were distributed to four schools in South Wales. Children in high school years 8 and 9 (aged 12 - 14) were recruited to take part. Questions focussed on use of sports drinks, type consumed, frequency of and reason for consumption and where drinks were purchased. Results: 160 children responded (87% response rate). 89.4% (143) claimed to drink sports drinks, half drinking them at least twice a week. Lucozade Sport™ was the most popular brand. The main reason for consuming the drinks was attributed to the “nice taste” (90%, 129/143). Most respondents purchased the drinks from local shops (80.4%, 115) or supermarkets (54.5%, 78). More boys claimed to drink sports drinks during physical activity (77.9% versus 48.6% girls, p<0.001). Whereas more girls claimed to drink them socially (51.4% versus 48.5% boys, NS). Conclusion: A high proportion of children consumed sports drinks regularly and outside of sporting activity. Dental health professionals should be aware of the popularity of sports drinks with children when giving health education advice or designing health promotion initiatives. 

History

Published in

British Dental Journal

Publisher

Nature

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Citation

Broughton, D., Fairchild, R. M. & Morgan, M. Z. (2016) 'A survey of sports drinks consumption among adolescents', British Dental Journal, 220 (12), pp. 639-643

Electronic ISSN

1476-5373

Cardiff Met Affiliation

  • Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences

Cardiff Met Authors

Ruth Fairchild

Cardiff Met Research Centre/Group

  • Public Health and Wellbeing

Copyright Holder

  • © The Publisher

Language

  • en

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