Soft drinks consumption, diet quality and BMI in a Mediterranean population

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited evidence exists on soft drink consumption's impact on BMI and lifestyle in adults.
• Existing studies show mixed results, necessitating further investigation in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between soft drink consumption and Body Mass Index (BMI).
• To examine the relationship between soft drink intake and lifestyle factors within a Mediterranean population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from two cross-sectional, population-based studies (2000 and 2005) in Girona, Spain.
• Assessed dietary intake using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).
• Measured weight and height in a representative sample of 35-74 year olds (3910 men, 4285 women).

Main Results:

• 41.7% consumed soft drinks, with a mean intake of 36.2 ml/day.
• Increased soft drink consumption correlated with a higher prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (P=0.025).
• Daily soft drink intake was associated with lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR=0.57) and a 0.21 kg/m² increase in BMI per 100 ml consumed (P=0.001).

Conclusions:

• Soft drink consumption in this Mediterranean population was not part of a healthy dietary context.
• Positive associations were found between soft drink intake, increased BMI, and sedentary lifestyle.
• Findings highlight the need to consider soft drink consumption in public health strategies for weight management and lifestyle improvement.