Report on Childhood Obesity in China (9): Sugar-sweetened Beverages Consumption and Obesity

• Published in: Biomedical and environmental sciences 2012-04, Vol.25 (2), p.125-132
• Main Authors: SHANG, Xian Wen, LIU, Ai Ling, ZHANG, Qian, HU, Xiao Qi, DU, Song Ming, MA, Jun, XU, Gui Fa, LI, Ying, GUO, Hong Wei, DU, Lin, LI, Ting Yu, MA, Guan Sheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anthropometry; Beverages; Blood Pressure; Child; Children; China - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Sugar-sweetened Beverages; Sweetening Agents
• ISSN: 0895-3988; 2214-0190
• DOI: 10.3967/0895-3988.2012.02.001

To explore the associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and obesity as well as obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders among children in China. A total of 6974 (boys 3558, girls 3412) children aged 6–13 years participated in the study. Each participant's height, weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The type of beverage consumption was determined using a self-administered questionnaire. SSBs were consumed regularly by 46.1% of the children. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence internal (CI)] of obesity was 7.6% [as the reference group (ref.)], 10.1% [1.36(1.07, 1.74)], and 11.6% [1.46(1.21, 1.75)], among children who regularly drank milk, other beverages and SSBs, respectively. Regularly drinking SSBs elevated the likelihood of abdominal obesity [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 1.36 (1.17, 1.59)]. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)] of obesity among children who regularly drank sports/caloric beverages, carbonated beverages, sweet tea, and plant protein beverages was 16.8% [2.00(1.31, 3.07)], 12.7% [1.52(1.23, 1.88)], 11.5% [1.52(1.18, 1.95)], and 10.4% [1.41(1.03, 1.94)], respectively, which was higher than that of regular milk drinkers [7.6 % (ref.)]. The prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)] of abdominal obesity among children who regularly drank sweet tea, fruit/vegetable juices, and carbonated beverages was 17.7% [1.55(1.26, 1.90)], 16.2% [1.36(1.09, 1.70)], and 15.3% [1.24(1.03, 1.50)], respectively, which was much higher than that of regular milk drinkers [12.8% (ref.)]. Regular SSB consumption was positively related to obesity and abdominal obesity. This relationship should be investigated further using a longitudinal study design.