Enduring autism-like phenotypes and deregulated hypothalamic prosocial peptides after early-life exposure to indoor flame retardants in male C57BL/6 mice.

Assessing dietary behaviors—including consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) such as soda/pop (soda) and sports drinks—among adolescents is important given the long‐lasting and far‐reaching health effects of nutrition during this phase of life []. Furthermore, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 recommend limited intake (< 10% of total daily calories) of added sugars []. Despite recommendations, during 2015–2018, 41% of youth aged 12–19 years consumed more than 15% of their total calorie intake in added sugars []; SSBs were a major source [, ]. Frequent consumption of SSBs has been associated with unhealthy weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk, and cavities [, , , ]. In addition, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and the physical environment contribute to health outcomes []. In 2023, 15% of US high school students drank sugar‐sweetened soda daily, and 11% drank sports drink daily [] with variations by grade [], sex, and race and ethnicity [, ]. Although the overall prevalence of daily consumption has decreased (soda: 34% in 2007, sports drink: 14% in 2015) [], frequent consumption of these beverages continues to jeopardize high school students' health. For example, recent national data show that, among those aged 12–19 years, 22% have obesity and 56% have cavities []. Furthermore, evidence suggests adolescents might employ unhealthy behaviors as a way of coping with life stressors []. The developing adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of stress [, , ], and stress during adolescence has been associated with unhealthy eating behaviors [, ]. More specifically, experiences of bullying or other violence at school have been associated with soda consumption []. Also, adolescents who experienced housing instability have an increased risk for unhealthy behaviors such as substance abuse and risky sexual health behaviors []. Better understanding the relationship between life stressors and unhealthy behaviors—such as soda and sports drink consumption—among adolescents could help identify potential strategies to improve their diet and health.