Introduction:
Rates of diabetes, obesity, and associated chronic diseases are known to be high in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, and diabetes has been highlighted by communities as a priority for future research. Within the literature, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been singled out as a modifiable risk factor for both obesity and diabetes. Therefore, to inform future interventions, a systematic scoping review of SSB consumption was planned. The aims of the study were to map consumption prevalence, correlates of consumption, and describe interventions that have aimed to reduce SSB consumption in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Methods:
Major databases and grey literature were searched and reference lists were scanned. The NHMRC’s definition of added-sugar drinks was adopted: sugar-sweetened soft drinks and cordials, fruit drinks, vitamin waters, energy and/or sports drinks. English language studies were included if they contained data regarding SSB consumption, correlates, or an intervention aiming to reduce SSB consumption.
Results:
A total of 2022 records (title or abstract) were screened for eligibility. 198 full-text records were retrieved, and 47 met eligibility criteria. Preliminary results found that SSB consumption is high in both rural and urban populations. Interventions to reduce SSB consumption include health education, and remote community-driven initiatives such as changes to availability and pricing of SSBs in community owned stores. Data for specific sub-populations is fragmented across studies with heterogeneous methodologies.
Conclusion:
This systematic scoping review will bring together a previously fragmented literature for SSB consumption, correlates, and consumption-reduction interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The results are likely to be of interest to communities, researchers and policy makers aiming to reduce chronic diseases associated with SSB consumption.