Soft Drinks: A Threat for A Healthy Life

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Abstract

Background: Soft Drink is a non-alcoholic beverage, mainly composed of carbonated water and high amount of sugar. From the studies, it is concluded that people who consumed soft drinks frequently have more chances to develop different diseases.

Objectives: This research was designed to observe the consumption of soft drinks in both genders, different age groups, and to gather information with respect to its impact on wellbeing; to analyze the awareness level in general public of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey based questionnaire was developed. The relationship between various parameters of the data linking to age, gender, occupation, consumption, effects and diseases were analyzed using basic tools of statistics.

Results: From this study we have estimated that 85.79 % of the population consumes soft drinks. Majority of the soft drinks’ consumers were teenagers with age range from 15-25 years. It has been observed in study that females who regularly consume soft drinks were more prevalent towards diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis while males showed prevalence of heart diseases, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, asthma and tooth decay.

Conclusion: Awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate people followed by development of strategies against the consumption of soft drinks especially in educational organizations.