Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is a growing public health concern linked to obesity and chronic diseases. This study analyzed global trends and disparities in high SSB consumption among young adults aged 15–39 years from 1990 to 2021, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. METHODS AND RESULTS: High SSB consumption was defined as intake of beverages with ≥ 50 kcal per 226.8-gram serving, excluding 100% fruit and vegetable juices. We calculated the prevalence and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to track temporal trends and identify significant shifts. The global prevalence of high SSB consumption among young adults increased from 6.58% in 1990 to 11.13% in 2021. Females consistently exhibited a higher prevalence compared to males. In 2021, high SDI countries had the highest prevalence (30.83%), while low SDI countries had the lowest prevalence (2.91%). High-middle SDI countries experienced the fastest increase in SSB consumption, with an EAPC of 2.99%. A strong positive correlation was found between national SDI and SSB prevalence in 2021 (ρ = 0.78, p < 2.2e-16). CONCLUSION: Rising global SSB consumption among young adults highlights the need for targeted public health interventions, especially considering disparities across gender, SDI levels, and regions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13098-025-01845-y.