Global Trends in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption and Impact to Chronic Diseases in North America: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis (1990 – 2021)

Introduction: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a primary source of added sugars in global diets, strongly linked to adverse health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite extensive research, excessive sugar intake remains a significant public health issue. This study aims to evaluate the association between SSB intake and the prevalence of chronic diseases across World Bank regions. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) from 1990 to 2021. This dataset includes information from 204 countries, categorized into seven World Bank regions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to assess the mean SSB consumption rates and trends for each region, adjusting for age, population, geographical location, and socioeconomic factors. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the association between SSB intake and chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Results: North America had the highest SSB consumption, with a significant increase from 1990 to 2021. Strong positive correlations were found between SSB consumption and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, high BMI, Alzheimer’s disease, various cancers, and inflammatory bowel disease (p < 0.001). However, asthma and ADHD showed no statistically significant relationship with SSB intake. This study highlights the significant impact of SSB consumption on the prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health policies, including taxation and dietary reforms, to mitigate the health burdens associated with excessive sugar consumption. Future research should assess the effectiveness of global regulations, such as taxation policies and marketing restrictions, on reducing SSB consumption and chronic disease prevalence.