Updated December 2023

Author: Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, Vermont Department of Health

According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 82% of adolescents in grades 9-12 consumed less than one sugar sweetened beverage per day, the same percentage of adolescents reporting this in 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a delayed administration period, caution should be used when interpreting and comparing the 2021 results to other years; See Notes on Methodology for more information.

Sugar sweetened beverages are a contributor to childhood obesity because these beverages have no nutritional value and many calories. People who drink sugary beverages do not feel as full as if they had eaten the same calories from solid food, and people drinking sugary beverages don’t compensate for their high caloric content by eating less food. These drinks include non-diet versions of sodas, sweetened teas, energy drinks and some juices.

This indicator was added to Healthy Vermonters 2020 in 2016 in recognition of the impact sugar sweetened beverages have on the obesity epidemic. In general, Health Vermonters 2020 (the State Health Assessment) documents the health status of Vermonters and the population health indicators and goals that will guide the work of public health through 2020. Click here for more information.

• Vermont State Parks, Agency of Natural Resources: The state park concession stands provide healthy beverages such as bottled water, 100% juice and seltzers.
• Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired: The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired benefits from the sales from vending machines on state property. They have been very interested in ensuring more healthy beverages are available in the vending machines.
• American Heart Association: The American Heart Association has been a leader in reducing consumption of sugary beverages.
• American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society has been a leader in reducing consumption of sugary beverages.
• Vermont Agency of Education: School lunch program prohibits sugary beverages during the school day.

Multiple studies have shown the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and weight gain. This is one of the causes of childhood obesity. But there are ways to combat sugary beverage consumption and other causes of obesity, such as supporting the writing and implementation of school wellness policies, making drinking water available to all students throughout the school day, and support children in finding healthy drinks wherever they are.

The Vermont Department of Health has adopted strategies to support youth in making healthy choices about beverages. We work with schools by assisting them in writing wellness policies, which can create environments supportive of students’ efforts to eat healthy and be active. 

In addition to schools, we work to impact adolescent health in other venues such as state parks and on state property. We are currently working with Vermont Forests and Parks on offering healthy beverages at state park concession stands and with Vermont Division of the Blind and Visually Impaired on healthy vending machines on state property.

Typically administered during the spring of odd years, the 2021 YRBS was administered during the fall of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prevalence estimates for the 2021 VT YRBS and comparisons with previous results

were likely impacted by some significant factors unique to 2021, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a younger population completing the survey due to the delayed survey administration period.

Students who participated in the 2021 YRBS may have had a different educational and social experience compared to previous participants. Disruptions, including remote learning, lack of social interactions and extracurricular activities, are likely reflected in the survey results.

Caution should be used when interpreting and comparing the 2021 results to other years. For more information on the delayed administration and how it may have impacted the 2021 results, please see "Special Considerations for 2021"