ObjectivesTo carry out meta-analysis and systematic review on the association between soft drinks consumption and asthma prevalence among adults and children.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of observational research.Data sourcesMedline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2018.Eligibility criteriaWe included observational studies investigating the association between soft drinks consumption (including maternal consumption during pregnancy) and asthma or wheeze.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted by one author and reviewed independently by two other authors. The most adjusted estimate from each original study was used in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic.ResultsOf 725 publications originally identified, 19 were included in this systematic review, including 3 cohort studies and 16 cross-sectional studies. Ten articles reported on children up to 18 years, 5 articles on adults (>18 years) and 2 articles on prenatal exposure. In total, 468 836 participants were included, with more than 50 000 asthma cases. Soft drinks consumption was associated with significantly increased odds of asthma in both adults (OR=1.37; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.52) and children (OR=1.14; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.21). Prenatal exposure had marginally statistically significant association (OR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23) with asthma in children. In subgroup analysis for childhood exposure, the association persists for sugar-sweetened soft drinks but not for carbonated drinks.ConclusionOur findings show a positive association between soft drinks consumption and asthma prevalence, mostly from cross-sectional studies. Therefore, more longitudinal research is required to establish causality.

The increased consumption of energy drinks by adolescents and young adults globally is a public concern due to the high amount of caffeine and sugar in them, which may affect consumers' health. Only one study was found in Madinah that measure the prevalence of energy drink consumption, but it was conducted with female students of secondary school. The prevalence of energy drink consumption is high and there is evidence of affecting health of the population. The objective of this study was to determine the patterns of consumption of energy drinks among college students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted at Taibah university in Madinah. The sample included 380 students of the main branch of Taibah university in Madinah, which contains 29153 students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 questions relating to students' sociodemographic characteristics, personal habits, total fluid intake, energy drink-related knowledge, and habits. Of the 380 students surveyed, 127 (33.4%) student were regularly consuming energy drinks. The mean age and standard deviation were 21.24 ± 1.77. Pearson chi-square test was done and it showed statistically significant association between energy drinks and smoking (13.522) with P value 0.0002. A majority of surveyed students had good knowledge regarding energy drinks. Future studies are needed to determine harmful side effects of energy drinks.