Sugar-sweetened beverages intake as a correlate of nutritional status in students at SDN Sandana Tolitoli

Sugar-sweetened beverages are a major source of added sugar among school-aged children and may increase the risk of overweight and obesity. In elementary schools, consumption tends to rise due to easy access to packaged products. This study examined the frequency and amount of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and its association with the nutritional status of elementary school students at Sekolah Dasar Negeri (SDN) Sandana, Tolitoli Regency. A descriptive analytic study with a cross-sectional approach was conducted involving 70 students from grades IV and V, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via interviews using a Semi Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), 24-hour dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements. Statistical analysis used the Spearman Rank correlation test. Results showed that 27 students (38.6%) frequently consumed sugar-sweetened beverages, while 43 (61.4%) consumed them infrequently. Despite this, 28 students (40.0%) had excessive daily sugar intake (>50 grams/day), and 42 (60.0%) were within the adequate category, with an average intake of 43.2 grams/day close to the WHO recommended limit. These findings suggest that low consumption frequency does not necessarily reflect low sugar intake. No significant association was found between sugar intake and nutritional status, although average intake remained relatively high.