Report Shows 'Troubling' Sugary Drink Trend Among Minnesota Youth

TWIN CITIES, MN — Almost half of Minnesota students consume sugary drinks at least once a day, increasing their risk of becoming obese, developing Type 2 diabetes and heart complications, according to a new study from the state Department of Health.

"Obesity and other chronic health conditions were a challenge for us well before the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the pandemic these issues have taken on a new significance," Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said in a news release.

"Even as we focus on fighting COVID-19, we can’t afford to lose sight of the importance of addressing the chronic conditions that make people more susceptible to all sorts of health problems."

Facts about pop and other sugar-sweetened beverages:

• One 20-ounce pop contains 17 teaspoons of added sugars, 3x the maximum recommended by the American Heart Association for children ages 2-18 to have in one day.
• Students with prediabetes are twice as likely to report having sugary drinks three or more times per day compared to students without prediabetes.
• Kids and young adults who develop Type 2 diabetes experience more severe symptoms, more rapidly, and lose approximately 15 years from average life expectancy.

Health officials say a key factor in youth consumption of these types of drinks is marketing by the sugary drink industry.

Advertising exceeded $1 billion in 2018 in the U.S., according to a 2020 report by the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The report noted that African American children and teens see more than twice as many sugary drink ads as their white counterparts do.

Students of color consume more sugary drinks compared to white students, according to the study, and Minnesota students experiencing economic hardship were twice as likely to report having sugary drinks three or more times per day compared to the average for all students.

Minnesota health officials say the report should serve "as a call to action for communities, parents and caregivers to work together to encourage young people to make healthy choices and limit access to sugary beverages."