Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with visceral fat in children

Dietary Strategies in the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review

This study aims to gather information on effective dietary strategies for the prevention and treatment of hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescents. It discusses specific nutritional models such as the Diet Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet), traditional Asian diets, plant-based diets, the Southern European traditional Atlantic diet, and the Mediterranean diet, highlighting the benefits of these approaches. The manuscript also addresses dehydration resulting from insufficient fluid intake among children, as well as the consumption of inappropriate beverages, like soft drinks and energy drinks, which contributes to the development of HTN. Additionally, it examines the role of oxidative stress in the pathomechanism of HTN in children, particularly in relation to the antioxidant potential of food components such as selenium, magnesium, and selected vitamins. The relationship between sodium and potassium intake from food and the development of HTN in children is also explored. Finally, this study discusses public health strategies for the prevention of HTN in children. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases, such as PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and EBSCO. This search focused on locating English-language meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and observational studies from around the globe.

Association of Sodium and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adolescents and Young Adults With Obesity

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children have increased in prevalence. Dietary intake may modify risk. Data collected during a randomized trial testing the effect of a behavioral intervention on adiposity, blood pressure (BP), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were analyzed using multivariable regression to determine independent associations of sodium, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB), and artificially sweetened beverage (ASB) intake with outcomes. High sodium intake (≥3.5 g) was associated with hypertensive BP (odds ratio 12.8; P = .027) in minimally adjusted models. High SSB intake (≥4 oz) was independently associated with body mass index z-score (β = .34; P = .035) and waist circumference z-score (β = .49; P = .022) in fully adjusted models. Any ASB intake was associated with LVMI in fully adjusted model (% change 38.22; P = .004). There was no effect modification between sodium and SSB on outcomes. Dietary factors explored in this study independently impacted CVD risk. Further effect measure modification should be explored in larger cohorts.

Associations between household food environment and daily intake of regular and diet soft drinks per BMI status of European children: Feel4Diabetes Study

The objective of this study was to investigate how the availability of food in the household environment is associated with a daily intake of regular and diet soft drinks in European children, considering BMI status. This cross-sectional study utilised baseline data from 12 211 schoolchildren participating in the Feel4Diabetes European lifestyle modification intervention. Sociodemographics, soft drink intake and household food availability data were collected using parent-completed questionnaires. Anthropometry was recorded, and children were classified into BMI categories according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis controlled for children's sex, mother's BMI, and educational level, frequent household availability of fruit juice (sugar added), regular soft drinks and salty snacks compared to less frequent were positively associated with daily regular soft drink intake in children, regardless of BMI group (ORs range 1.59-6.69). Conversely, frequent availability of fruit juice (no added sugar) was inversely related to regular soft drink intake in both BMI groups, as was the availability of fresh fruit in the overweight/obesity group, and the availability of diet soft drinks in the underweight/normal-weight (ORs range 0.31-0.54). In conclusion, habitual household availability of selected energy-dense foods/beverages was positively associated with a daily intake of regular soft drinks in European children, regardless of BMI status. Contrastingly, household availability of fresh fruit, fruit juice (no added sugar) and diet soft drinks were inversely associated with regular soft drink intake. Programmes focusing on reducing children's soft drink intake should consider reducing the availability of sugar-added beverages in the household food environment and encouraging water consumption, as a practical, healthier alternative suggestion.

The relative contributions of soft tissue mass components as risk or protective factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Several body components are known to be associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. However, the relative contributions of soft tissue mass components as risk or protective factors of NAFLD are largely unknown because measurements of these components are often highly correlated. Therefore, we aimed to estimate levels of association between soft tissue mass components and NAFLD.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

We collected the medical records of 555 Chinese children (aged 3-18 years). Five mutually exclusive and exhaustive components of soft tissue mass were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. NAFLD was diagnosed with abdominal B-ultrasound scan. We fit Dirichlet regression and multivariate linear regression models wherein age and NAFLD were used as predictors of the proportional measurements of soft tissue mass components.

RESULTS

The proportion of android fat was significantly higher in children with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD (ratio of proportions ranged from 1.18 to 1.30), whereas proportions of trunk lean and limb lean were significantly lower (ratio of proportions ranged from 0.87 to 0.92 for trunk lean and from 0.82 to 0.91 for limb lean). The proportion of gynoid fat was slightly higher in boys with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD (ratio = 1.05), but this proportion was not significantly higher in girls. The association between the proportion of android fat and NAFLD appeared to be somewhat greater than the associations between proportions of trunk lean or limb lean components and NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that lowering fat mass and increasing lean mass can both be used to combat NAFLD in children and that more studies are needed to determine the association between gynoid fat and NAFLD.

Associations of artificially sweetened beverages, sugar-sweetened beverages, and pure fruit/vegetable juice with visceral adipose tissue mass

OBJECTIVE

To test the associations of sugar-sweetened beverage, artificially sweetened beverage, and pure fruit/vegetable juice consumption with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass at baseline and follow-up and to determine whether BMI and genetic risk of VAT mass modified the associations.

METHODS

A total of 203,348 participants from UK Biobank with consumption data on three beverages were included. Participants were categorized into nonconsumers and consumers with >0-1, >1-2 and >2 L/week. A sex-specific prediction model was used to calculate VAT mass. A weighted genetic risk score for high VAT mass was calculated.

RESULTS

The participants with a sugar-sweetened beverage and artificially sweetened beverage consumption of >2 L/week had the greatest B values [B (95% CI): 24.02 (16.53, 31.51) and 60.81 (52.08, 69.54) in men, respectively; 10.20 (5.92, 14.48) and 24.72 (20.80, 28.64) in women]. Low and moderate intake of pure fruit/vegetable juices showed a significantly inverse association with VAT mass in men [-10.52 (-15.37, -5.67); -6.46 (-11.27, -1.65)] and women [-6.70 (-8.99, -4.41); -5.93 (-8.33, -3.54)]. Regarding changes in VAT mass, participants who consumed >2 L/week of sugar-sweetened beverages and artificially sweetened beverages had greater changes. BMI but not genetic risk modified the associations between beverage intake and VAT mass, which were strengthened in participants with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 for sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages or artificially sweetened beverages was associated with greater VAT mass regardless of genetic risk. Mild-to-moderate intake of pure fruit/vegetable juices was linked to lower VAT mass.

Association of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity with Childhood and Adolescent Overweight/Obesity: Findings from a Surveillance Project in Jiangsu Province of China

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and inadequate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have been suggested as potential contributors to overweight/obesity during childhood or adolescence; however, the results of previous studies are inconsistent. It was crucial to estimate the independent and joint association of SSB consumption and inadequate MVPA for childhood and adolescent overweight/obesity. The "Surveillance for Common Disease and Health Risk Factors Among Students in Jiangsu Province 2021-2022" initiative provided us with representative population-based data that we studied. SSB consumption and inadequate MVPA were determined by self-reported SSB habit and MVPA frequency (days/week). The body mass index for each gender and age subgroup was used to identify those who were overweight or obese. With stratified analyses to ascertain differences in age or gender, we employed the logistic regression model to assess the association of SSB and MVPA with overweight/obesity and applied the likelihood ratio test to explore the interactions. Approximately 38.2% of the study population (119,467 students aged 8-17) were overweight/obese. After adjusting covariates, SSB consumption or inadequate MVPA was associated with overweight/obesity (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02-1.07; and OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.10). In comparison to students with "no SSB consumption and adequate MVPA", those with "SSB consumption and inadequate MVPA" had a higher risk of being overweight/obese (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.08-1.18). Regardless of age and gender subgroups, the correlation of SSB and MVPA alone and together with being overweight/obese was generally similar, with the adolescent group aged 13-17 years (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.09-1.22) and females (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17) being more susceptible. Moreover, there was a significant interaction between SSB consumption and gender (p < 0.001), as well as between SSB consumption and inadequate MVPA (p = 0.008). Hence, SSB consumption in students is significantly associated with overweight/obesity, especially when MVPA is inadequate. In light of the rapidly expanding childhood and adolescent obesity epidemic, proper attention should be given to these modifiable behaviors, particularly SSB and MVPA.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Metabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Narrative Review

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are major contributors of free sugars to the diet. A strong relationship between SSB intake and weight gain is described.

METHODS

we performed a narrative review to present an overview of the role of SSBs as a pivotal contributor in the development of obesity and metabolism-related complications.

RESULTS

different factors influence SSB consumption in children, including economic variables, individual attributes and behaviors to environmental factors, parent features and parents' behaviors. Data suggest that SSB intake has a negative effect on weight and obesity-related diseases. The leading mechanism linking SSB intake to the risk of gaining weight is decreased satiety and incomplete compensatory reduction in energy intake at meals following ingestion of liquid calories. Additionally, the effects of SSBs on gut microbiota and on eating behaviors were also reported. An association between SSB intake, weight gain and cardiometabolic risks is evident. Consumption of SSBs had a significant impact on the prevalence of obesity and related metabolic risks, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Limiting consumption of SSBs and increasing knowledge of the effect of SSBs on early metabolic and cardiovascular disorders will be useful in developing strategies to counteract the problem and to prevent obesity and related complications.Key future research areas for which further studies are needed include investigating the long-term effects of SSBs on health outcomes as well as analyzing the health effects of sugar consumed in solid compared to liquid forms and further elucidating the biological mechanisms of sugar addiction and energy compensation.

Early life Western diet-induced memory impairments and gut microbiome changes in female rats are long-lasting despite healthy dietary intervention

OBJECTIVE

Western diet consumption during adolescence results in hippocampus (HPC)-dependent memory impairments and gut microbiome dysbiosis. Whether these adverse outcomes persist in adulthood following healthy dietary intervention is unknown. Here we assessed the short- and long-term effects of adolescent consumption of a Western diet enriched with either sugar or both sugar and fat on metabolic outcomes, HPC function, and gut microbiota.

METHODS

Adolescent female rats (PN 26) were fed a standard chow diet (CHOW), chow with access to 11% sugar solution (SUG), or a junk food cafeteria-style diet (CAF) containing various foods high in fat and/or sugar. During adulthood (PN 65+), metabolic outcomes, HPC-dependent memory, and gut microbial populations were evaluated. In a subsequent experiment, these outcomes were evaluated following a 5-week dietary intervention where CAF and SUG groups were maintained on standard chow alone.

RESULTS

Both CAF and SUG groups demonstrated impaired HPC-dependent memory, increased adiposity, and altered gut microbial populations relative to the CHOW group. However, impaired peripheral glucose regulation was only observed in the SUG group. When examined following a healthy dietary intervention in a separate experiment, metabolic dysfunction was not observed in either the CAF or SUG group, whereas HPC-dependent memory impairments were observed in the CAF but not the SUG group. In both groups the composition of the gut microbiota remained distinct from CHOW rats after the dietary intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

While the metabolic impairments associated with adolescent junk food diet consumption are not present in adulthood following dietary intervention, the HPC-dependent memory impairments and the gut microbiome dysbiosis persist.

Associations Between Different Cortisol Measures and Adiposity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study examined associations between hair, salivary, serum, and urinary cortisol concentration with adiposity-related indicators in children, and explored their potential effects modification by age, sex, cortisol measurement method, and country developmental context. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for studies examining at least one of the four aforementioned cortisol with objectively measured adiposity-related outcomes in children. Meta-analyses of cross-sectional studies revealed that hair cortisol concentration was associated with fat mass index (FMI)-standard deviation score (SDS)/FMI z-score (pooled-β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.08) and BMI/BMI z-score (pooled-β = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.25), and these associations were significant among children aged ≤ 12 years (pooled-β = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.26) and >12 years (pooled-β = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.22), children from developed countries (pooled β = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21) and developing countries (pooled-β = 0.193, 95% CI: 0.188, 0.198), and in studies extracting cortisol via LC-MS/MS (pooled-β = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.29) but not ELISA (pooled-β = 0.08, 95% CI: −0.06, 0.22). Meta-analyses of both cohort and cross-sectional studies revealed non-significant associations of morning salivary cortisol concentration and total daily cortisol output with BMI/BMI z-score. Serum cortisol concentration was not associated with BMI or waist circumference. Meta-analysis of urinary cortisol concentration and adiposity was hindered by insufficient data. These findings further corroborate understanding of chronic stress’ physiological contribution to increased pediatric obesity risk.

An Update on the Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes: A Global Perspective

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a public health burden associated with immense health care and societal costs, early death, and morbidity. Largely because of epidemiologic changes, including nutrition transitions, urbanization, and sedentary lifestyles, T2D is increasing in every region of the world, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. This article highlights global trends in T2D and discusses the role of genes, early-life exposures, and lifestyle risk factors in the cause of T2D, with an emphasis on populations in current hotspots of the epidemic. It also considers potential impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and T2D prevention policies and action.