As a community health nurse, you are conducting a health assessment on a group of middle-aged adults regarding their lifestyle choices that contribute to chronic disease prevention. During your assessment, you note varying levels of physical activity, dietary habits, and smoking status among the participants. One participant claims to exercise regularly, report minimal stress, and maintains a balanced diet. However, you notice the participant also regularly consumes sugary beverages, which can increase the risk of long-term health complications.
Given this scenario, which lifestyle choice is most likely to contribute to an increased risk of chronic disease in this participant despite their perceived healthy behaviors?