Racial Disparities in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Change Efficacy Among Male First-Year College Students

Racial disparities in weight-related outcomes among males may be linked to differences in behavioral change efficacy; however, few studies have pursued this line of inquiry. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which self-efficacy associated with changing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption intake varies by race among male first-year college students. A self-administered, cross-sectional survey was completed by a subsample of freshmen males (N = 203) at a medium-sized southern university. Key variables of interest were SSB intake and self-efficacy in reducing consumption of sugared beverages. African American and Whites had similar patterns of SSB intake (10.2 ± 2.8 vs. 10.1 ± 2.6); however, African Americans had lower proportions of individuals who were sure they could substitute sugared beverages with water (42.2% vs. 57.5%, p < .03). The results from logistic regression models suggest that self-efficacy to reduce SSB intake among males vary by race. African American males were less likely to assert confidence in their ability to change behaviors associated with SSB (odds ratio = 0.51; confidence interval [0.27, 0.95]) in the full model adjusting for weight-related variables including SSB consumption. The findings suggest that weight loss and weight prevention interventions targeting young African American males require components that can elevate self-efficacy of this group to facilitate behavioral modifications that reduce SSB consumption and their risk for obesity-related diseases.