Sugar addiction and its role in obesity among adolescents residing in an urban field practice area of Bagalkot: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Obesity, a multi-factorial process is showing an increasing trend among children and adolescents leading to increased prevalence of insulin resistance, paving the way for cardio-metabolic risk factors. It has been proposed that certain food items as well as eating habits are addictive in a way that is similar to substances of abuse. Thus, this study was conducted among adolescents to determine the frequency of sugar addiction, the influencing factors and its association with obesity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed and 250 late adolescents (17–19 years old) chosen from colleges coming under urban field practice area of Bagalkot were enrolled in the study. A self-administered questionnaire which consisted of three sections-socio-demographic details, validated Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) was used to collect data regarding sugar addiction and physical activity in our study. Result: Sugar addiction was found among 7.6% of adolescents and it was associated with overweight and obesity which was statistically significant (X2=42.72, p<0.0001). Factors which significantly contributed to sugar addiction among adolescents were; adolescents staying in hostel (p<0.001), working mother’s (p<0.0001) and socio-economic status (p=0.02). Univariate analysis (unadjusted odds ratio) showed that risk factors such as sugar addiction (Odds ratio 9.6, 95% C.I. 2.18-42.8, p=0.003) and reduced physical activity (Odds ratio 3.8, 95% C.I. 2.02-7.26, p=0.0001) were associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusion: Incorporation of measures against hyper palatable sugary foods into public health policy recommendations and a further detailed evaluation regarding sugar addiction may provide a new insight and help in prevention and treatment of obesity.