Trends in Dairy and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Korean Young Adults Aged 19-29 Years: Analysis of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2021.

Authors

Jiwon Bang, Mi-Jung Choi, Eun-Hee Cho

Published in

Journal of obesity & metabolic syndrome. Jul 13, 2026. Epub Jul 13, 2026.

Abstract

Beverage consumption patterns in Korea have shifted in response to rapid lifestyle changes, including the growth of cafe culture and increased access to convenience foods. This study examined trends in major beverage consumption among Korean young adults.
Beverage consumption trends were analyzed using data from 7,681 participants aged 19-29 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2021). Dietary assessment methods differed by survey cycle: a simple food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in 2010-2011, a semi-quantitative FFQ in 2012-2016, and beverage-specific questions in 2019-2021. Beverages included milk, yogurt, soda, coffee, and fruit juice. Weekly consumption frequency, consumption volume, and estimated sugar intake were analyzed by sex.
Beverage consumption patterns showed distinct temporal changes. The frequency of dairy product intake declined significantly (5.2 to 3.2 times/week; P<0.0001), mainly because of reduced milk consumption. Yogurt intake initially increased and then declined, particularly among females. In contrast, the overall frequency of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake remained stable, although coffee intake frequency decreased and soda and fruit juice intake increased slightly. Total SSB volume increased from 1.9 to 2.8 L per week (P<0.0001). The absolute increase was slightly greater in males (899.5 mL/week vs. 761.6 mL/week), whereas the relative increase in soda intake was greater in females (93% vs. 61%). Correspondingly, weekly sugar intake from SSBs rose sharply (420.4 g/week to 675.1 g/week, P<0.0001), while sugar intake from dairy products increased modestly, mainly because of yogurt.
Among Korean young adults, dairy consumption has declined, whereas SSB intake and related sugar exposure have increased markedly, with notable sex differences in beverage consumption patterns.

PMID:
42437736
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Jul 2026.

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