Other Titles
The Silent Epidemic: Sugary Beverages and the Rise of Chronic Disease in Hispanic Populations [Poster Title]
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and a major source of morbidity among Hispanics in the U.S. (1,2). Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are known to be associated with an increased risk of CVD, diabetes and obesity (3,4). However, there is a lack of information concerning SSB consumption patterns and perceptions of related health risks among Hispanic women in the U.S. This study aims to investigate SSB consumption patterns and perceptions among Hispanic women.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 40 fluent Spanish-speaking Hispanic women ages 18 to 44 from North Carolina who participated in a randomized pilot study designed to reduce HIV risk among Hispanic women (R34DA053887-01, PI Villegas). Data about SSB were collected through a structured interview. Participants who qualified were invited to a Zoom or phone appointment via a Qualtrics-hosted survey. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and valid percent, were used to analyzed the data.
Results: The mean age was 35.5±5.0, with an average of 15.8±3.5 years of education. In regard to SSB consumption, more than half of the participants reported SSB consumption, including sodas (n=8, 20%), sweet tea or coffee (n=8, 20%), aguas frescas (n=3, 7.5%), and packaged fruit juices (n=2, 5%). About a third (n=14, 35%) mentioned a higher consumption of sugary drinks in the last month. A total of 19 participants (47.5 %) reported that sugary drinks were important to their culture. Participants (n=17, 42.5%) reported that the reason SSBs were part of their daily life was due to habit (e.g., culture, tradition) and social events (n=6, 15%). Participants expressed a need for further guidance on healthy beverage consumption including clear advice and community-based support on preparing healthy beverages and a need for education focused on healthy beverage alternatives, including instruction on substituting current beverages with healthier, more beneficial options.
Conclusion and Implications: SSB was high among Hispanic women. Cultural meaning, social routines, and structural conditions shape their sugary drink use. Participants want clear guidance, practical instruction, and accessible alternatives to support healthier beverage decisions. Community programs need to address cultural context and everyday barriers while offering simple, realistic strategies for change.
Notes
Funding Acknowledgement:
Research reported in this presentation was supported by the National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R34DA053887 and the Thorp program. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
References:
1.Gomez, S., Blumer, V., & Rodriguez, F. (2022). Unique cardiovascular disease risk factors in Hispanic individuals. Current cardiovascular risk reports, 16(7), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00692-0
2. Swarup S, Ahmed I, Grigorova Y, et al. Metabolic Syndrome. [Updated 2024 Mar 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459248/
3. Errisuriz, V. L., Zambrana, R. E., & Parra-Medina, D. (2024). Critical analyses of Latina mortality: Disentangling the heterogeneity of ethnic origin, place, nativity, race, and socioeconomic status. BMC public health, 24(1), 190. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17721-9
4. Heiss, G., Snyder, M. L., Teng, Y., Schneiderman, N., Llabre, M. M., Cowie, C.,Carnethon, M., Kaplan, R., Giachello, A., Gallo, L., Loehr, L., & Avilés-Santa, L. (2014). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Hispanics/Latinos of diverse background: The Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos. Diabetes care, 37(8), 2391–2399. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc13-2505
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Primary Care, Beverages, Hispanic Americans, Communities, Culture, Chronic Diseases, Disease Risk Factors, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors
Recommended Citation
Hurtado, Jailene Lemus and Rodriguez, Natalia Andrea Villegas, "Sugary Beverages and the Rise of Chronic Disease Among Hispanic Women" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 117.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/117
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-24
Sugary Beverages and the Rise of Chronic Disease Among Hispanic Women
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background and Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and a major source of morbidity among Hispanics in the U.S. (1,2). Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are known to be associated with an increased risk of CVD, diabetes and obesity (3,4). However, there is a lack of information concerning SSB consumption patterns and perceptions of related health risks among Hispanic women in the U.S. This study aims to investigate SSB consumption patterns and perceptions among Hispanic women.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 40 fluent Spanish-speaking Hispanic women ages 18 to 44 from North Carolina who participated in a randomized pilot study designed to reduce HIV risk among Hispanic women (R34DA053887-01, PI Villegas). Data about SSB were collected through a structured interview. Participants who qualified were invited to a Zoom or phone appointment via a Qualtrics-hosted survey. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and valid percent, were used to analyzed the data.
Results: The mean age was 35.5±5.0, with an average of 15.8±3.5 years of education. In regard to SSB consumption, more than half of the participants reported SSB consumption, including sodas (n=8, 20%), sweet tea or coffee (n=8, 20%), aguas frescas (n=3, 7.5%), and packaged fruit juices (n=2, 5%). About a third (n=14, 35%) mentioned a higher consumption of sugary drinks in the last month. A total of 19 participants (47.5 %) reported that sugary drinks were important to their culture. Participants (n=17, 42.5%) reported that the reason SSBs were part of their daily life was due to habit (e.g., culture, tradition) and social events (n=6, 15%). Participants expressed a need for further guidance on healthy beverage consumption including clear advice and community-based support on preparing healthy beverages and a need for education focused on healthy beverage alternatives, including instruction on substituting current beverages with healthier, more beneficial options.
Conclusion and Implications: SSB was high among Hispanic women. Cultural meaning, social routines, and structural conditions shape their sugary drink use. Participants want clear guidance, practical instruction, and accessible alternatives to support healthier beverage decisions. Community programs need to address cultural context and everyday barriers while offering simple, realistic strategies for change.
Description
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among U.S. Hispanics, with sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increasing risk. This study examined SSB consumption and perceptions among 40 Spanish-speaking Hispanic women in North Carolina. Results showed high SSB use influenced by culture, habit, and social events. Participants expressed a need for clear guidance, practical strategies, and accessible healthy alternatives to reduce intake, highlighting culturally informed community interventions.