Socio-cognitive determinants of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The overconsumption of sugar sweetened beverages is an increasing public health concern. Understanding the socio-cognitive determinants that drive such consumption could inform the development of interventions to reduce sugar sweetened beverage consumption. The aim of the present review and meta-analysis was to determine the strength of associations between socio-cognitive determinants and the amount and frequency of sugar sweetened beverage consumption among young people. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A search was performed using the following databases: PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, and PubMed. The key search terms were: (1) children, adolescents, young adults; (2) sugar sweetened beverage consumption, choice or purchasing behaviour; and (3) socio-cognitive determinants related to sugar sweetened beverage consumption. The search identified 4325 papers, with 22 papers remaining after screening. Two separate meta-analyses were performed, one for amount (n = 14) and one for frequency (n = 8) of consumption. The most strongly associated determinants with amount of sugar sweetened beverage consumed were habit, intention to consume, and attitudes, whereas the most strongly associated determinants with frequency of consumption were intentions, injunctive norms, and descriptive norms. Comparisons between the meta-analyses revealed two distinct differences: injunctive norms were more strongly correlated with frequency of consumption, and self-efficacy with amount consumed. It was suggested that interventions that focus on multiple determinants, including components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour may result in the largest reductions in consumption. Specifically, focussing on changing attitudes, norms and habits, and increasing perceived behavioural control related to sugar sweetened beverages may be maximally effective in reducing consumption behaviour.