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Objective: The current study sought to examine Guatemalan adolescents' consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), identify which individual-level characteristics are associated with SSB consumption and describe school characteristics that may influence students' SSB consumption.Design: Within this observational pilot study, a questionnaire was used to assess students' consumption of three varieties of SSB (soft drinks, energy drinks, sweetened coffees/teas), as well as a variety of sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics. We collected built environment data to examine aspects of the school food environment. We developed Poisson regression models for each SSB variety and used descriptive analyses to characterize the sample.Setting: Guatemala City, Guatemala.Subjects: Guatemalan adolescents (n 1042) from four (two public, two private) secondary schools.Results: Built environment data revealed that students from the two public schools lacked access to water fountains/coolers. The SSB industry had a presence in the schools through advertisements, sponsored food kiosks and products available for sale. Common correlates of SSB consumption included school type, sedentary behaviour, frequency of purchasing lunch in the cafeteria, and frequency of purchasing snacks from vending machines in school and off school property.Conclusions: Guatemalan adolescents frequently consume SSB, which may be encouraged by aspects of the school environment. Schools represent a viable setting for equitable population health interventions designed to reduce SSB consumption, including increasing access to clean drinking-water, reducing access to SSB, restricting SSB marketing and greater enforcement of existing food policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) between Canadian and Guatemalan adolescents, and to examine associations of sociodemographic variables with PA and screen time among adolescents in Canada and Guatemala. Self-reported, cross-sectional data from students in grades 9-12 who participated in the 2015 COMPASS study (Canada; n = 39,817; mean age = 15.6 years) and COMPASS-Guatemala ( n = 1,221; mean age = 15.1 years) were used. Sociodemographic variables included age, gender, ethnicity (exclusively among Canadians), and weekly money allowance. Outcome variables included meeting the PA guidelines (⩾60 minutes/day) and the screen time recommendations within the SB guidelines (<2 hours/day), and participation in organized sports in and out of school. Chi-squared tests and linear and logistic regressions were used to test the study objectives. The proportions of participants meeting the PA guidelines were 48.7% and 41.3% for Canadians and Guatemalans, respectively. More Guatemalan adolescents than Canadians met the screen time recommendations (24.9% vs. 16.5%). Older age, being male, being non-White, and $0-$5/unknown of allowance were associated with meeting the PA guidelines among Canadians. Gender (being male) was the only variable associated with meeting the PA guidelines among Guatemalan adolescents. Older age, being male, being non-White, and $0-$5/unknown of allowance were associated with organized sport participation among Canadians. Among Guatemalans, being aged 15-16 years and having 0-35 quetzals/unknown of allowance were associated with participating in competitive school sports. Being male was associated with participating in recreational school sports or league/team sports outside of school. Older age, being female, being non-White, and ⩾$6 of allowance were associated with meeting the screen time recommendations among Canadians. Older age and having ⩾150 quetzals of allowance were associated with meeting the screen time recommendations among Guatemalan adolescents. These findings can inform researchers and policy makers when developing country-specific targeted interventions and programs that promote physically active lifestyles.