Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Mexican youth: empirical evidence on the association with socioeconomic factors, risk behaviors, and mental health

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29105/ensayos45.2-4

Keywords:

Consumption analysis, sugar-sweetened beverages, Tobit

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between socioeconomic factors, risk behaviors, and mental health in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among adolescents and young people in Mexico. Methodology: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2022) were used, and a left-censored Tobit model was estimated. Findings: The results showed that tobacco use and the presence of depressive symptoms were positively associated with higher levels of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, whereas alcohol consumption did not exhibit a statistically significant relationship. Additionally, residing in urban areas, having lower income levels, and possessing a basic level of education were associated with higher levels of consumption. Implications: The findings suggest that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is part of a set of interrelated, non-random decisions in which socioeconomic, behavioral, and mental health factors interact, providing relevant evidence for the design of public policies aimed at promoting healthier consumption habits. Originality: The study provides empirical evidence on the association between socioeconomic factors, risk behaviors, mental health, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among adolescents and young people in Mexico.

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Author Biographies

Orla Martínez Arvizu, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas

Ph.D. candidate in Strategic Business Management at the Faculty of Administration and Commerce, Tampico Campus, Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Current research focuses on organizational behavior, internal marketing, social marketing, consumer behavior, and the modeling of consumption habits.

Dionicio Morales Ramírez, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas

Professor-Researcher at the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering, Tampico Campus. He is a Level I National Researcher in Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII). His research interests include productivity, regional development, and the quantitative analysis of social issues.

Verónica Martínez Lara, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

Family Medicine Specialist affiliated with Family Medicine Unit No. 77 of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She is a Candidate Researcher in Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII). Her academic work focuses on family medicine, healthy lifestyles, nutrition, quality of life, and the prevention of chronic diseases.

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Published

2026-07-31

How to Cite

Martínez Arvizu, O., Morales Ramírez, D., & Martínez Lara, V. (2026). Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Mexican youth: empirical evidence on the association with socioeconomic factors, risk behaviors, and mental health. Ensayos Revista De Economía, 45(2), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.29105/ensayos45.2-4

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Regular Issue: Papers