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To what extent are high sugar drinks affecting the oral health of our global communities?

BDJ Student volume 30, pages 21–23 (2023)Cite this article

The average individual in the UK will consume 211.5 litres of fizzy drinks per year according to recent statistics.1 Although the consumption of sugary drinks amongst adolescents within European countries has decreased over the last two decades,2 sugary beverages remain one of the biggest aetiological factors in dental caries within our global communities. But exactly how far reaching is the issue of soft drink consumption?

Furthermore, Panama recognises seven indigenous populations that make up 12% of its population.3 The Ngäbe population comprises 60% of the indigenous peoples who mainly reside in western provinces including Bocas Del Toro.4 These indigenous populations have faced many challenges in recent decades, notably their struggle to obtain the legal rights to ancestry territories.3 Additionally, there are high degrees of social segregation and low literacy rates, with indigenous populations possessing a low socio-economic status.5,6 These factors undoubtedly create disparities in the quality of health education and healthcare accessibility within these communities, especially considering their geographical barriers.7

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References

  1. Riddler, M. Average consumption of soft drinks in the United Kingdom from 2013 to 2018, per person (in litres). 2019. Available online at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/283484/soft-drink-consumption-per-person-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ (accessed September 2022).

  2. Chatelan A, Lebacq T, Rouche M, et al. Long-term trends in the consumption of sugary and diet soft drinks among adolescents: a cross-national survey in 21 European countries. Euro J Nutri 2022, 61: 2799-2813.

  3. International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. Indigenous peoples in Panama. 2022. Available online at: www.iwgia.org/en/panama.html (accessed September 2022).

  4. Minority rights group international group. Ngabe-Bugle (Guaymi). 2022. Available online at: https://minorityrights.org/minorities/guaymi-ngobe-bugle/ (accessed September 2022).

  5. Patel J, Hearn L, Gibson B, et al. International approaches to Indigenous dental care: what can we learn? Aus Dent J 2014; 59: 439-445.

  6. Anais L. Rurality and education in Panama. UNESCO Digital Library: 11-18.

  7. Wikipedia. Bocas del Toro District. 2021. Available online at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bocas_del_Toro_District (accessed September 2022).

  8. Diabetes Western Australia, Public Health Advocacy Institute. Soft drink consumption in Aboriginal communities. 2014. Available online at: www.phaiwa.org.au/soft-drink-consumption-in-aboriginal-communities/ (accessed September 2022).

  9. The Guardian. Coca-Cola under fire over ad showing Coke handout to indigenous people. 2015. Available online at: www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/coca-cola-under-fire-over-ad-showing-coke-handout-to-indigenous-people (accessed September 2022).

  10. Pell D, Mytton O, Penney T L, et al. Changes in soft drinks purchased by British households associated with the UK soft drinks industry levy: controlled interrupted time series analysis. BMJ 2021; 372: n254.

  11. Berger N, Cummins S, Allen A, et al. Patterns of beverage purchases amongst British households: A latent class analysis. PLoS Med 2020; 17: e1003245.

  12. Wang J, Geng L. Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Physical and Psychological Health: Lifestyle as a Mediator. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16: 281.

  13. Fong G T, Hammond D, Hitchman S C. The impact of pictures on the effectiveness of tobacco warnings. Bulletin, World Health Organisation 2009; 87: 640-643.

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  1. Bristol, United Kingdom

    Liam Fletcher

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Correspondence to Liam Fletcher.

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Fletcher, L. To what extent are high sugar drinks affecting the oral health of our global communities?. BDJ Student 30, 21–23 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-023-0945-7

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