Loneliness and cravings for sugar‐sweetened beverages among adolescents

Available evidence links consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to weight gain in children and adults. Alongside environmental factors like food availability, psychological aspects such as mood states also affect intake. This study by Doan et al. (2022) delves into the immediate connections between feelings of loneliness and cravings for SSBs in adolescents, exploring how family functioning might moderate these associations. Loneliness has various health implications, yet its link with SSB cravings has yet to be explored. Data from 158 participants (68 males, mean age = 15.13 ± 2.27 years) were gathered using an ecological-momentary assessment design. Multilevel mixed-effects models were employed to analyze the interplay between loneliness, family functioning, and cravings for SSBs while considering other negative emotions. Loneliness among adolescents was found to be slightly associated with increased cravings for SSBs, even after adjusting for negative emotions, indicating loneliness’s distinct impact. However, positive family functioning did not diminish the link between loneliness and SSB cravings. Loneliness independently contributes to cravings for SSBs in adolescents, and positive family dynamics do not mitigate this association. [NPID: Adolescents, cravings, loneliness, obesity, sugar-sweetened beverages]

Year: 2022

Reference: Doan, S. N., Xie, B., Zhou, Y., Lei, X., & Reynolds, K. D. (2022). Loneliness and cravings for sugar‐sweetened beverages among adolescents. Pediatric Obesity, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.12834

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