Nutr Res Pract.  2022 Apr;16(2):194-204. 10.4162/nrp.2022.16.2.194.

Association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and depression and suicidal ideation among Korean adults: a cross-sectional study from the 2014 and 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)

• Kim J
• Hong C
• Lee G

• KMID: 2527810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2022.16.2.194

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are regarded as modifiable risk factors for mental health in several populations. Although the consumption of SSBs is steadily increasing in Korea, there is scant evidence regarding the impact of SSB consumption on depression and suicidal ideation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of SSB consumption with depression and suicidal ideation among adults in Korea.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
We used the data for 5,465 participants (2,170 men and 3,295 women) aged ≥ 20 years from the 2014 and 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were divided into four groups according to SSB consumption using a food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of SSB consumption with depression and suicidal ideation, adjusting for sociodemographic, health behavior, and dietary variables.
RESULTS
Participants consuming ≥ 1 SSB/day had a significantly higher risk of depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–2.18; P < 0.001) and suicidal ideation (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.13–4.28; P < 0.001) compared with those in the non-SSB group after adjusting for potential confounding factors.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that SSB consumption is positively associated with depression and suicidal ideation in Korean adults.

Keyword

Sweetened beverages; depression; suicidal ideation

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