A Survey on Soft Drinks Intake Behaviour among University Going Students

This thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.OBJECTIVE: The research was carried out to find out soft drinks intake behavior among the university going students. METHOD: The study included finding out information regarding soft drinks intake behavior and the amount of soft drinks consumption in daily life of students. DESIGN: A standardized questionnaire introduced to student to collect their response. SETTING: East West University, Dhaka. SUBJECTS: 445 students of the university. Among them 298 were male and 147 were female. INTERVENTIONS: A Survey, questionnaire composed of soft drinks intake related questions, amount of soft drinks consumption related questions, health concerns because of consuming soft drinks related questions etc. RESULTS: Among 445 students 23% students consumed soft drinks randomly, 18% few times a week, 14% once a day, 13% after taking junk food, 13% after taking rich food, 12% more than once a day, 6% after doing any kind of sports and only 1% students never consumed soft drinks. 36% students consumed 125-250 ml soft drinks at a time, 35% consumed less than 125 ml, 25% consumed 250-500 ml and 4% consumed more than 250 ml. 47% students did not think diet drinks are better than normal drinks 35% students felt addicted to soft drinks. CONCLUSION: During this study it has been observed that majority of the university students consume different type of soft drinks at different intervals. Though majority of them know about the complications that occur by consuming soft drinks, they spend a good amount of pocket money on soft drinks. Approximately half of them think diet drinks is not better than normal soft drinks. A few of them felt addicted to soft drinks. Healthy eating messages for adolescents need to be developed and incorporated into existing and future campaigns to reinforce the perception that there are other healthier drinks that quench thirst and that taste good as well