Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Rising obesity rates among adolescents are a major global health concern and are closely linked to the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This study aimed to identify key behavioral and psychosocial factors influencing SSB consumption among adolescents.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included 49,548 participants aged 12–18 years. Information on SSB consumption frequency, sociodemographic characteristics, eating habits, sedentary behaviors, and other health-related factors was collected through self-administered questionnaires. Path analysis was used to model SSB consumption and estimate the direct and indirect effects of modifiable factors.
RESULTS
Male students, current alcohol drinkers, those with higher frequencies of fast-food or late-night snack consumption, and heavy smartphone users were more likely to frequently consume SSBs. Fast-food intake had the strongest direct effect on SSB consumption (B = 0.3884), while nighttime eating showed a substantial direct effect (B = 0.1437) and mediated 21.7% of the relationship between fast-food intake and SSB consumption. Leisure sitting time exerted both direct (B = 0.0741) and indirect effects on SSB intake, mediated through watching mukbang, smartphone use, fast-food consumption, and nighttime eating. Self-perceived health status was negatively associated with SSB consumption (B = –0.0619), with indirect effects mediated by fast-food intake and nighttime eating.
CONCLUSIONS
Among Korean adolescents, SSB consumption was strongly associated with unhealthy eating patterns and prolonged leisure sitting time. Increased fast-food consumption, nighttime eating, watching mukbang, smartphone use, and negative self-perceived health status not only directly influenced SSB intake, but also acted as mediating factors.

• Keywords: Sugar-sweetened beverages; Adolescent; Eating; Obesity; Screen time