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Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in 2- to 5-year-old children

Mark D DeBoer1, Rebecca J Scharf, Ryan T Demmer

  • 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. deboer@virginia.edu

Pediatrics
|August 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is linked to higher BMI z scores and obesity risk in children aged 2-5 years. Discouraging SSB intake is recommended for healthy weight development in early childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Childhood Obesity Research
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • Existing research shows a link between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and weight status in older children.
  • Data on SSB consumption and weight status in children aged 2 to 5 years have been inconsistent.
  • This study addresses the mixed findings by evaluating SSB consumption and weight status in this young age group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and weight status.
  • To investigate these associations specifically in children aged 2 to 5 years.
  • To provide evidence for pediatricians, parents, and policymakers regarding SSB intake in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 9600 children in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey--Birth Cohort.
  • Assessed sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and body mass index (BMI) z scores.
  • Employed linear and logistic regression, adjusting for key covariates like socioeconomic status and maternal BMI.

Main Results:

  • Higher SSB consumption correlated with increased BMI z scores in 4- and 5-year-olds, but not 2-year-olds.
  • Five-year-olds with regular SSB intake had significantly higher odds of obesity (OR=1.43).
  • Prospective analysis revealed that SSB consumption at age 2 predicted a greater increase in BMI z score over the next two years.

Conclusions:

  • Children aged 2 to 5 years who consume SSBs show both prospective and cross-sectional associations with higher BMI z scores.
  • Pediatricians and parents should actively discourage SSB consumption to prevent unhealthy weight gain in young children.
  • Public health policies should strongly consider measures to reduce SSB consumption among children.
Abstract

Keywords:
obesitypreschoolsugar sweetened beveragesweight gain

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