Demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with sugar-sweetened beverage intake: a population-based study

The Consumption of Non-Sugar Sweetened and Ready-to-Drink Beverages as Emerging Types of Beverages in Shanghai

BACKGROUND

The Chinese beverage industry is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in the popularity of non-sugar sweetened beverages (NSSs) and ready-to-drink beverages (RSBs). This study aimed to assess current consumption patterns and determinants of various beverage types among retail visitors.

METHODS

A total of 44 observation points, including 22 supermarkets and 22 convenience stores, were randomly selected across Shanghai. At each location, at least 100 individuals were recruited to participate. Data were collected using an electronic self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

The consumption rates of total beverages, sugar-sweetened beverages, NSSs, and RSBs were 57.70%, 56.94%, 19.60%, and 29.50%, respectively; the median consumption amounts among the drinking population were 162.57 mL/day, 137.98 mL/day, 32.85 mL/day, and 32.85 mL/day, respectively. The consumption proportions of NSSs and RSBs ranked 2nd and 3rd. The multifactorial analyses showed that people aged 6-18 years consumed more beverages (p < 0.05). Males were more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages and NSSs, but females were more likely to consume RSBs (p < 0.05). Higher educated people and bachelors were more likely to consume beverages (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The emerging beverage categories, NSSs and RSBs, warrant attention due to their significant consumption rates. Tailored intervention strategies should be considered for demographic groups varying by age, gender, and educational attainment.

Do Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating Affect Beverage Preferences? A Cross-Sectional Survey

Intuitive eating involves following body signals to guide eating decisions and avoiding restrictive diets. Mindful eating is paying full attention to sensory experiences and fostering nonjudgmental awareness. We aimed to elucidate potential relationships between beverage intake and intuitive and mindful eating scores. This cross-sectional exploratory study (October 2021-December 2022) enrolled adult male and female participants who provided sociodemographic and health-related information and subsequently completed the Beverage Intake Questionnaire, the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ-30), and the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2). Bidirectional relationships were observed between beverage intake and intuitive and mindful eating scores. The total beverage intake of males was double compared with that of females, with the intake being mainly derived from sugar-sweetened beverages (p = 0.000). Increased total water intake was positively correlated with IES-2 and its subscale scores and was negatively correlated with MEQ-30 scores in both sexes (p < 0.05). Alcoholic beverage intake was associated with reductions in IES-2 and MEQ-30 scores, whereas unconditional permission to eat increased by 18.3% in males. In females, the consumption of milk-based beverages decreased the IES-2 scores. Understanding the complex relationships between beverage intake and intuitive and mindful eating may deepen our understanding of individual dietary behaviors and inform dietary interventions.

Magnitude of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and associated factors among women aged 15-49 years old in two Sub-Saharan African countries

BACKGROUND

The consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) has been linked to the global epidemic of obesity and chronic disease. Following the economic growth, urbanization, and attractive market for beverage companies, the consumption of SSBs is a rising public health challenge in low and middle-income countries. Hence, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of SSBs consumption and associated factors among women of reproductive age group in two SSA countries.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from Integrated Public Use Micro Data Series-Performance Monitoring for Action (IPUMS-PMA) with a total sample of 3759 women aged 15-49 years old in Burkina Faso and Kenya. The data was collected on June - August 2018 in Burkina Faso, and May -August 2018 in Kenya. SSBs consumption was measured by asking a woman if she drank SSBs yesterday during the day or night, whether at home or anywhere else. A mixed-effect logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors.

RESULT

Half (50.38%) [95%CI; 46.04, 54.71] of women consumed SSBs. Sociodemographic characteristics like primary education (AOR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.05-1.74), secondary education (AOR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.13-1.90), being employed (AOR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.05-1.56),and dietary characteristics like consumption of savory and fried snack (AOR = 1.61; 95%CI = 1.24-2.09), achieved minimum dietary diversity (AOR = 1.67; 95%CI: 1.38-2.01), moderate household food insecurity (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.95), and sever household food insecurity (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.89) had significant statistical association with SSBs consumption.

CONCLUSION

Consumption of SSBs among women in two Sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso and Kenya) is high. Having higher educational status, being employed, achieved minimum dietary diversity, and having low/no household food in-security were found to be significantly associated with SSBs compared with their counterparts. We recommend for further study in other African countries using objective measurements of SSBs consumption.

Sugar Is the Key Cause of Overweight/Obesity in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB)

To evaluate association between overweight/obesity and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) types, SSB sugar, among children and adolescents. A total of 1,068 children and 751 adolescents were identified from a provincial survey conducted in Shandong, China. χ2 tests, logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), mediation analysis, pathway analysis, and ordinary least square (OLS) regression were applied to test association among overweight/obesity, SSB sugar, SSB types, and a set of factors. The mean daily SSB intake for children and adolescents was 210.7 and 208 ml, respectively. The threshold of SSB sugar consumption causing overweight/obesity was around 25 g/day and verified by RCS based on logistic regression. Approximately, 44.8% of the study subjects consumed more than 25 g/day of SSB sugar. SSB sugar intake above 25 g/day resulted in higher risk of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.391, 95% CI, 1.115–1.734). The effects of all types of SSBs on overweight/obesity were fully mediated by SSB sugar (p &lt; 0.05), except for milk. Consumption of any types of SSBs had a positive impact on SSB sugar intake in both children and adolescents. Any type of SSB intake was a risk factor in excessive intake of SSB sugar (OR &gt; 1, p &lt; 0.05). In particular, milk powder, tea, and tea-flavored drinks, and carbonated have greater ORs for excessive intake of SSB sugar (OR = 76.08, 8.879, 4.355, p &lt; 0.05, respectively). It was found that the effect of SSB on overweight/obesity was mediated by the intake of SSB sugar, and the effects of various SSBs were different according to multiple linear regression and pathway analysis (p &lt; 0.05, respectively).

Sex-Based Differences in Factors Associated With Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Korean High School Students

This study aimed to identify sex-based differences in the individual and environmental factors associated with sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among Korean high school students. Secondary data were obtained from the 15th (2019) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. In this study, we analyzed data from 13,066 high school students (5,874 boys and 7,192 girls) who answered questions regarding SSB consumption and individual and environmental factors. Complex sampling analysis (descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis) was conducted using the SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. Most adolescents (97% boys and 95.2% girls) reported having consumed SSBs in the last seven days. Individual factors, such as increased stress, sleep dissatisfaction, and fast-food intake (more than thrice a week) were positively associated with SSB consumption among adolescent boys and girls. Environmental factors like high education levels (above college) of mothers were negatively associated with SSB consumption among both boys and girls. Furthermore, current alcohol consumption, smoking, low vegetable intake (less than thrice a week) in boys, and more than 2 h a day of screen-based sedentary behavior in girls were positively associated with SSB consumption. According to the results, individual factors associated with SSB consumption varied according to the sex of adolescents. Thus, sex differences in factors associated with SSB consumption in adolescents should be considered as basic knowledge for developing strategies for reducing SSB consumption.

Physical activity, sugar-sweetened beverages, whole grain bread and insomnia among adolescents and psychological distress in adulthood: prospective data from the population-based HUNT study

Background

In this study, we examined the relationship between low levels of physical activity, high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and low consumption of whole grain bread and experiencing insomnia in adolescence and psychological distress in young adults.

Methods

This prospective study was based on information retrieved from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) in Norway and included adolescents (age 13–19) participating in Young-HUNT3 (2006–2008) and in HUNT4 (2017–2019) 11 years later (age 23–31). The study sample consisted of 2,230 participants (1,287 females and 943 males). The exposure variables collected in adolescence included self-reported physical activity, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and whole grain bread and insomnia, and psychological distress in young adulthood was used as an outcome variable. The relationship between lifestyle behaviours in adolescence and psychological distress in young adulthood was examined using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for gender, age and psychological distress in adolescence and educational level in young adulthood.

Results

An increased odds of psychological distress was shown among young adults who reported low levels of physical activity (OR: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.10–2.89), high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR: 1.49, 95 % CI: 1.12–1.98), low consumption of whole grain bread (OR: 1.35, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.77) and insomnia (OR: 1.69, 95 % CI: 1.23–2.33) in adolescence. In terms of absolute differences, unhealthy lifestyle behaviours increased the risk of psychological distress in young adulthood between 3.18 (95 % CI: 0.29–6.07) (low whole grain bread consumption) and 6.01 (95 % CI: 1.95–10.07) (insomnia) percentage points.

Conclusions

Low levels of physical activity, high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and low consumption of whole grain bread and insomnia during adolescence were associated with psychological distress in young adulthood.

DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and overweight/obesity in adolescents: The ERICA study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Childhood and adolescent obesity is one of the most important issues in the global health of the population and has been increasing dramatically in recent decades. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between overweight/obesity and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score in a representative sample of Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

Data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a national school-based survey, were used. A total of 71,553 adolescents (12-17 years old), of both sexes, participated in the study; they had their anthropometric measurements taken and responded to a 24-h dietary recall. Eight food components of the DASH score were evaluated. 1) fruits (except fruit juices), 2) vegetables (except potatoes and beans), 3) pulses/nuts, 4) whole grains, 5) low-fat and diet/light dairy products, 6) sodium, 7) red and processed meats, and 8) sugary drinks and fruit juices. A higher score was indicative of greater accordance with the DASH diet, with a final score ranging from eight to 40 points. The association between overweight/obesity and the DASH score was assessed using Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

The highest prevalence of overweight/obesity was observed among boys aged 12-14 years (28.2%), white (27.7%), enrolled in private schools (32.4%) and among those who practiced ≥300 min physical activity/week (26.1%). The food groups most frequently consumed were sugary drinks, pulses and nuts, and red and processed meats. No association was found between overweight/obesity and the DASH diet score in Brazilian adolescents, in the adjusted analysis models.

CONCLUSIONS

Low consumption of foods considered protective and high consumption of health-risk foods, even among adolescents with greater accordance with the DASH diet, may have contributed to these findings. Public health measures are needed to prevent/reduce the prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescence, as it is a risk for overweight/obesity in adulthood as well as other complications, leading to loss of quality of life for the individual and increased health spending.

Impact of combined long-term fructose and prednisolone intake on glucose and lipid homeostasis in rats: benefits of intake interruption or fish oil administration

We investigated whether combined long-term fructose and prednisolone intake would be more detrimental to the glucose homeostasis than if ingested separately. We also evaluated whether fish oil administration or interruption of treatments has any positive impact. For this, male adult Wistar rats ingested fructose (20%) (F) or prednisolone (12.5 µg/mL) (P) or both (FP) through drinking water for 12 weeks. A separate group of fructose and prednisolone-treated rats received fish oil treatment (1 g/kg) in the last 6 weeks. In another group, the treatment with fructose and prednisolone was interrupted after 12 weeks, and the animals were followed for more 12 weeks. Control groups ran in parallel (C). The F group had higher plasma TG (+42%) and visceral adiposity (+63%), whereas the P group had lower insulin sensitivity (-33%) and higher insulinemia (+200%). Only the the FP group developed these alterations combined with higher circulating uric acid (+126%), hepatic triacylglycerol content (+16.2-fold), lipid peroxidation (+173%) and lower catalase activity (-32%) that were associated with lower protein kinase B content and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in the liver, lower AMPK phosphorylation in the adipose tissue and higher beta-cell mass. Fish oil ingestion attenuated the elevation in circulating triacylglycerol and uric acid values, while the interruption of sugar and glucocorticoid intake reverted almost all modified parameters. In conclusion, long-term intake of fructose and prednisolone by male rats are more detrimental to glucose and lipid homeostasis than if ingested separately and the benefits of treatment interruption are broader than fish oil treatment.

Awareness and perceptions regarding taxation and health warnings related to sugar-sweetened beverages and the factors associated with these among visitors of a general out-patient clinic in Bhopal, India

INTRODUCTION

Although increased taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and warning labels on their packaging have been successful in other countries, India has not implemented these. It is imperative to understand the user perspectives before implementation, regarding which almost no information exists.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the awareness and perceptions of people regarding taxation and health warnings on SSB packaging, and to determine the factors associated with these.

METHODOLOGY

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the general out-patient clinic of a public tertiary care hospital in Bhopal, India, between April and November 2018. Patients and accompanying persons ≥15 years of age and attending the clinic were included. Severely ill patients were excluded. Exit interviews were conducted after the clinical consultation using a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.

RESULTS

Out of the 503 participants interviewed, three-fourths had never heard of taxes on SSBs and had never seen any health warning on SSB packaging. Most participants (96.6%) wanted some health warning to be present on the packaging. Majority of them (69.3%) wanted both textual and pictorial warnings. Close to half of those who wanted a pictorial warning to be present opined that it should occupy <25% of the surface area of the packaging. Multivariable analysis showed that participants aged <25 years and females were not in favor of tax increment.

CONCLUSION

Government policies should also focus on user perspectives and preferences before deciding to increase tax on SSBs or introducing mandatory health warnings on SSBs.