Abstract

There is a growing concern in the medical and scientific communities about the harmful effects associated with carbonated soft drinks. In several observational studies, intake of carbonated beverages was associated with reduced bone mass, decreased calcium level in the blood, and increased fracture risk. Soda drinks is a contributing factor in the prevalence and incidence of both dental caries and obesity especially among adolescents and young adults so they are more likely to be diagnosed as diabetic.

Diet Soda

Introduction

Low-sugar diets are a specialized form of lowcarbohydrate diets for diabetes management or weight loss. Some are derived from general guidelines drawn up by such organizations as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) or the American Heart Association (AHA); others, like the Sugar Busters diet, are diet plans published by individuals or groups for the general public. Low-sugar diets are based on reducing the total amount of sugar obtained in the diet from fruits, starches, and other foods, not just from table sugar and such other sweeteners as honey, molasses, or corn syrup (Wise, 23).

Discussion and Analysis

Consumption of carbonated beverages (pop/soda) may be a contributing factor in the prevalence and incidence of both caries and obesity especially among adolescents and young adults. In most reports, colas were more strongly associated than were other carbonated beverages. Several investigators suggested that the factor or factors responsible for this association may be the increase in phosphorus intake or the net acid load of those beverages that use phosphoric acid as the acidulant or the caffeine of those beverages that are caffeinated. More recently, fructose, found in beverages that use natural sweeteners, was implicated as a possible cause of reduced calcium balance. For most of these factors, the effect is usually attributed to increased urinary calcium loss. Individually, phosphorus and caffeine were shown to have little or no net effect, but concern remains about the acid load. Consumption of soft drinks among children was associated with impaired calcification of growing bones, lower calcium levels, and increased risk of broken bones. The role of these drinks as a causative agent of obesity is also recognized by the World Health Organization (Hans, 514).

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study was designed. A multistage random samples were collected from schools and colleges in Dubai (Al Raya high school, Al Shorouq Private School, and Dubai Modern Education School, which are multistage schools, and Dubai Medical College for Girls). Informed consent from all participants was taken.

Subjects

A total of 275 female students were randomly selected from different schools. A questionnaire was distributed to all the students who were present in the selected class in that day. Sociodemographic data and family, medical, and dietary history were collected from the questionnaire.

Anthropometric measures

On completion of the questionnaire, anthropometric measures were conducted by measuring the body height using a nonstretchable measuring tape.

Technique

The subjects were asked to stand barefooted, with both heels touching medially. Heels, shoulder blades and buttocks should touch a vertical stand. Slight upward traction was applied to mastoid process by the ...