SOFT DRINK CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN DENTAL AND NON-DENTAL STUDENTS

Abstract

The prevalence of soft drink consumption is on the rise globally, and with it, the frequency of dental health issues. The objective of this study was to compare the consumption patterns of soft drinks in dental and medical students.

This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst dental and medical students of Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore, from June till November 2022. The e-questionnaire consisted of demographic data, frequency of soft drink consumption, volume of consumption and frequency of diet soft drink consumption. Chi-square test was used to determine any significant association. p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

401 questionnaires were returned duly filled by participants. Dental students were 200 (49.9%) whereas medical students were 201 (50.1%) in number. When participants were inquired of soft drink consumption within the past 3 months, 395 (98.5%) answered in the affirmative while 6(1.5%) had not consumed any soft drinks. Statistically females consumed more soft drinks than males. At p-value of 0.04, results demonstrate that medical students consumed more volume of soft drink bottles compared to dental students. At p-value of 0.03, results demonstrate that dental students consumed more diet soft drinks compared to medical students.

Dental students were applying their vocational education into their lifestyle; even though they consumed soft drinks, they preferred diet soda and consumed them in a lesser amount. Medical students consumed more volume of soft drink per sitting compared to dental students.