Soda and Sports Drink Consumption and Life Stressors Among High School Students: Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023
Journal of School Health / The Journal of School Health
Published online on August 04, 2026
Abstract
["Journal of School Health, Volume 96, Issue 8, August 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\n\nBackground\nLife stressors might influence health behaviors, including frequent sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. We described associations between life stressors and soda/sports drink (SD) consumption among US high school students.\n\nMethods\nWe tested associations between life stressors and daily (≥ 1 time/day) and heavy daily (≥ 3 time/day) consumption of soda/SD using the 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (daily n = 12,308; heavy daily n = 11,980). We calculated prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for grade, sex, weight perception, and race and ethnicity. Not experiencing the stressor was the reference group.\n\nResults\nDaily consumption was significantly higher among those who experienced unstable housing (aPR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2, 2.2), lacking a household adult trying to meet basic needs (aPR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.5), bullying at school (aPR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2, 1.4), missing school due to safety concerns (aPR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.5), or feeling unfairly disciplined at school (aPR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.3). Results for heavy daily consumption were similar.\n\nImplications for School Health Policy, Practice and Equity\nInitiatives to reduce soda/SD consumption could benefit students with relatively high consumption prevalence, including those experiencing life stressors.\n\nConclusions\nThe prevalence of consuming soda/SD was higher among US high school students who experienced life stressors than those who did not.\n"]