Assessment of carbonated and healthy drinks consumption pattern among undergraduates in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State

Abstract

The study assessed carbonated and healthy drinks consumption pattern of the undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IIe – Ife, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was employed in this study. The study relied on primary data which was collected through questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using mean and percentages. The total number of respondents was 260 undergraduate students, which comprised 102 males and 158 females. Majority (47.3%) of the respondents were between 17 – 20 years old and were single. It was indicated that majority (49.6%) of the respondents has less than N10,000 as income level from their monthly stipend. The result indicated that the carbonated drinks that the students consume the most were Fanta and Coke. Majority (38.5%) of the respondents consume fruit smoothies while they sometimes (38.8%) consume zobo drink. The result also reveals that zobo drink has the highest percentage (76.2%) of consumption than other healthy drinks. The major factors influencing healthy drinks consumption based on individual perceptions were taste (40.4%), price (38.9%), preferences (36.2%), and nutritional benefit (35.0%) while price (36.5%), taste (35.8%), preferences (33.5%) and availability on campus (31.5%) were the major factors influencing carbonated drinks consumption based on individual perceptions. It is therefore recommended that the Federal and State Government should ensure proper health education of undergraduates regarding the nutritional benefits of healthy drinks as well as the adverse effects of carbonated drinks.
 Keywords: carbonated drinks, healthy drinks, consumption pattern, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

Caffeinated beverage consumption among adolescents in Sagamu, Nigeria: implications for health promotion

“…This will encourage parental involvement in the monitoring of adolescents´ compliance with set standards for drinks and other nutritional products [ 6 , 27 ]. Behavior change communication on the ills of excessive caffeine consumption, with or without alcohol, specifically targeted at adolescents and young persons will go a long way in achieving the desired reduction in caffeine intoxication and its associated effects resulting from excessive intake of caffeinated drinks [ 4 ]. Adolescents need to be empowered to take charge of their own health and wellbeing.…”

“…They include sodas and carbonated drinks, energy drinks, coffee, caffeinated tea and some others mixed with alcohol. A common characteristic is that they contain a significant amount of caffeine [ 4 ]. Available evidence from literature show that consumption of these drinks occurs across age-groups and socio-economic status, but with preponderance among young person´s [ 5 , 6 ].…”