Soft drink consumption and mental health problems among adults in Australia

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2010

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Shi, Z.
Taylor, A.
Wittert, G.
Goldney, R.
Gill, T.

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Public Health Nutrition, 2010; 13(7):1073-1079

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Zumin Shi, Anne W Taylor, Gary Wittert, Robert Goldney and Tiffany K Gill

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Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between soft drink consumption and mental health problems, including self-reported doctor-diagnosed anxiety, stressrelated problem and depression, suicidal ideation and psychological distress, among adults in South Australia. Design: Data were collected using a risk factor surveillance system. Each month a representative random sample of South Australians was selected from the Electronic White Pages with interviews conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. Setting: South Australia. Subjects: Participants were aged 16 years and above. Results: Among 4741 participants, 12.5% reported daily soft drink consumption of more than half a litre. High levels of soft drink consumption were positively associated with depression, stress-related problem, suicidal ideation, psychological distress and a current mental health condition, but not anxiety. Overall, 24.0% of those having suicidal ideation reported consuming more than half a litre of soft drink per day. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, those who consumed more than half a litre of soft drink per day had approximately 60% greater risk of having depression, stress-related problem, suicidal ideation, psychological distress or a current mental health condition, compared with those not consuming soft drinks. The soft drink to total fluid consumption ratio had similar associations with mental health problems. Conclusions: There is a positive association between consumption of soft drinks and mental health problems among adults in South Australia.

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Copyright The Authors 2010

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