Consumption of Carbonated Soft Drinks Among Young Adolescents Aged 12 to 15 Years in 53 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Objectives. To compare consumption of carbonated soft drinks among young adolescents in 53 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods. We used 2009 to 2013 Global School-based Student Health Survey data to assess 137 449 young adolescents aged 12 to 15 years with available data (via a standardized questionnaire) on frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption. Results. Overall, young adolescents reported having consumed carbonated soft drinks 1.39 times per day (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26, 1.51), and 54.3% of adolescents reported consuming a carbonated soft drink at least once per day. Frequency (times per day) varied greatly across countries, ranging from 0.52 (95% CI = 0.43, 0.60) in Kiribati to 2.39 (95% CI = 2.25, 2.53) in Suriname. Conclusions. Our data confirm that consumption of carbonated soft drinks is frequentamong young adolescents in LMICs.Ourfindings highlight the need for interventions in these countries to reduce adolescents' carbonated soft drink consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]