Study about Awareness and Practices about Carbonated Drinks among School Students in an International School, Bangalore

Title: Study about awareness and practices about Carbonated Drinks among school students in an International school, Bangalore

Background: The consumption of carbonated drinks in youngsters is increasing in alarming proportions. They are often not aware of the health hazards of the excess consumption. Studies have suggested that children who drink a lot of soft drinks risk becoming fat, weak-boned, cavity -prone and caffeine addicted. A cross sectional study was conducted in an International School to assess the awareness and practices in school students regarding carbonated drinks. The study subjects comprised of school students between ages 14years and 18years who were in eight standard to twelfth standard. A total of 300 students were randomly selected and included in the study. A self administered pretested structured questionnaire was introduced for the purpose of the study. Maximum of students responded gastritis (46%) specifically as the important ill-effects associated with the consumption of the carbonated drinks for long period of time followed by teeth diseases (20.15 %) and about 23.5% of the them were not aware of the ill-effects of the same at all. A holistic approach should be incorporated to combat the problems associated with the consumption of carbonated drinks.