Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Is Associated with Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents

Abstract

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the principle source of added sugar in diets. Cardiometabolic disturbances can occur from early childhood to adulthood. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the gender-specific association of SSB intake with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among adolescents in Taiwan. A total of 2727 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years randomly selected from three diverse economic areas in Southern Taiwan by using a multistage-sampling strategy participated in this study. Demographic, dietary, physical and anthropometric parameters were measured, and serum lipid profiles and glucose levels were determined. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) specifies that MetS requires abdominal obesity and ≥2 abnormal components, and Cook criteria for MetS require ≥3 abnormal components. We applied survey-data modules to data analyses, and used multiple regression and logistic models to adjust for covariates. An increased SSB intake was linked to a greater waist circumference in both sexes and to systolic blood pressure in boys (P for trend: ≤0.043). Male moderate and high consuming SSB drinkers exhibited triglyceride levels that were 8.0 and 8.2 mg/dL significantly higher, respectively, than those of nondrinkers. Compared with nondrinkers, boys who consumed >500 mL/day (high quantity) of SSBs exhibited 10.3-fold (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.2-90.2) and 5.1-fold (95% CIs: 1.01-25.5) risks of contracting MetS, as defined by the IDF and Cook criteria for MetS, respectively. In girls, the risk estimates for the same comparison were not significant by the IDF criteria (6.5-fold risk, 95% CIs: 0.9-∞) or Cook criteria (5.9-fold risk, 95% CIs: 0.8-43.8) for MetS. High SSB consumption was also linked to 1.9-fold (95% CIs: 1.1-3.1) and 2.7-fold (95% CIs: 1.3-5.7) higher risks of being at a greater overall metabolic risk in girls and boys, respectively. In conclusion, a high SSB intake is associated with adolescent MetS among boys but not girls in Taiwan.

Added Fructose

“…84 Observational studies have found that sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. [85][86][87][88][89] Stronger associations are noted in larger studies of longer duration, 90,91 and systematic reviews and metaanalyses corroborate these adverse effects. 85,[92][93][94] Even 100% fruit juice (although technically not a sugar-sweetened beverage) provides high concentrations of fructose, removed from its usual biological context (eg, whole fruit).…”

Children’s Food and Beverage Promotion on Television to Parents

“…14 Advertisement characteristics were compared across target audiences, and airtime for advertisements by target audience were presented by food and beverage type. Given the health concerns related to sugarsweetened beverage consumption among children, [15][16][17][18] we present a case study to describe the marketing approaches used in promoting sugar-sweetened beverages. The results provide novel information about the nature and extent of parent-directed advertising for nutritionally questionable children's foods and beverages on television.…”

Is Sugar the new Tobacco? Insights from Laboratory Studies, Consumer Surveys and Public Health

“…Studies have shown that high consumption of SSB is linked not only to obesity [34,42] but also to metabolic syndrome [43], type 2 diabetes [4], as well as cardiovascular diseases [5]. The consumption of 455 ml of SSB for 6 months was associated with lipid accumulation in the liver, muscle and visceral fat [44].…”