Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption correlates with BMI, waist circumference, and poor dietary choices in school children

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing globally. Frequently coexisting with under-nutrition in developing countries, obesity is a major contributor to chronic disease, and will become a serious healthcare burden especially in countries with a larger percentage of youthful population. 35% of the population of Saudi Arabia are under the age of 16, and adult dietary preferences are often established during early childhood years. Our objective was to examine the dietary habits in relation to body-mass-index (BMI) and waist circumference (W_C), together with exercise and sleep patterns in a cohort of male and female Saudi school children, in order to ascertain whether dietary patterns are associated with obesity phenotypes in this population.Methods5033 boys and 4400 girls aged 10 to 19 years old participated in a designed Food Frequency Questionnaire. BMI and W_C measurements were obtained and correlated with dietary intake.ResultsThe overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.2% and 27.0% respectively, with boys having higher obesity rates than girls (P ≤ 0.001). W_C and BMI was positively correlated with sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage (SSCB) intake in boys only. The association between male BMI and SSCB consumption was significant in a multivariate regression model (P < 0.0001). SSCB intake was positively associated with poor dietary choices in both males and females. Fast food meal intake, savory snacks, iced desserts and total sugar consumption correlated with SSCB intake in both boys (r = 0.39, 0.13, 0.10 and 0.52 respectively, P < 0.001) and girls (r = 0.45, 0.23, 0.16 and 0.55 respectively, P < 0.001). Older children reported eating significantly less fruit and vegetables than younger children; and less eggs, fish and cereals. Conversely, consumption of SSCB and sugar-sweetened hot beverages were higher in older versus younger children (P < 0.001). BMI and W_C were negatively correlated with hours of night-time sleep and exercise in boys, but only with night time sleep in girls, who also showed the lowest frequency of exercise.ConclusionsA higher intake of SSCB is associated with poor dietary choices. Male SSCB intake correlates with a higher W_C and BMI. Limiting exposure to SSCB could therefore have a large public health impact.

Blood pressure and sodium intake from snacks in adolescents

“…Snacking could contribute both to increased BMI and increased BP values. Prospective studies found a direct association between snacking and weight gain risk 24,46,47 . Moreover, high-sodium snacks are positively associated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages that considerably increase the intake of carbohydrates and have been associated with children/adolescent obesity 48 .…”

Effects of Food Habits and Lifestyle on Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity among Schoolchildren in Taif Area, KSA

“…Omer et al [2] reported much higher rates of physical inactivity (91.7%) among schoolchildren. Collison et al [5] found that frequency of physical activity decreased as the age increases in both sexes. There are many reasons for high rate of physical inactivity, including dependence of children and adolescents on cars for daily activities, high rates of air pollution and high temperatures especially during summer times discourage performing outdoor activities.…”

“…Several research works showed that food habits are the most crucial factors affecting the health status of schoolchildren in KSA. For example, Collison et al [5] conducted a cohort study of 9433 schoolchildren aged 10 to 19 in the capital city (Riyadh).…”

Qualidade da dieta de escolares do município de São Paulo

“…Apesar de muitos estudos não analisarem o consumo de sódio, estes observaram maior ingestão de alimentos industrializados entre os escolares do sexo masculino, apesar de ser elevado também entre as meninas (DALLA COSTA et al, 2007;COLLISON et al, 2010). Os alimentos industrializados possuem alto teor de sódio, gordura e açúcares simples, contribuindo para o maior teor de sódio na alimentação (SARNO et al, 2009).…”

“…Entre os meninos, DALLA COSTA et al (2007) Em estudo realizado com 9433 escolares da Arábia Saudita, observou-se maior consumo de açúcar e guloseimas entre os meninos, apesar das meninas também consumirem elevadas quantidades destes alimentos (COLLISON et al, 2010). No Brasil, o estudo de DALLA COSTA et al (2007) encontrou maior consumo de refrigerante, gorduras e óleos entre os meninos e maior consumo de açúcares e guloseimas entre as meninas.…”