Sugar-added beverages consumption among kindergarten children of Crete: effects on nutritional status and risk of obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the intake of sugar-added beverages such as soft drinks and commercially available fruit juices in kindergarten children, and to examine its association with obesity indices, physical activity levels and dietary habits.


METHODS
A total of 856 children aged 4-7 years living in Crete, Greece in 2004-5 were included in this cross-sectional study. Nutrient and food intake was assessed with the use of 3-day weighed food records. Body measurements were used in order to assess BMI and waist circumference, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was calculated with the use of a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Approximately 59.8% of all children consumed sugar-added beverages on a daily basis. High intake of sugar-added beverages (> 250 g/day) was associated with low intakes of calcium (p < 0.001), vitamin A and E (p < 0.010), fruits and vegetables (p = 0.007), and milk and yogurt (p = 0.048). Compared to non or low consumers, high consumers of sugar-added beverages (> 250 g/day) had higher BMI levels and two times greater risk of being overweight and/or obese (OR:2.35, p = 0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
High intake of sugar-added beverages in kindergarten children is associated with poor eating habits and inadequate nutrient intake, as well as increased risk for developing childhood obesity.
Linardakis
Manolis
M
Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece. linman@med.uoc.gr
Sarri
Katerina
K
Pateraki
Maria-Styliani
MS
Sbokos
Manolis
M
Kafatos
Anthony
A
D001628:Beverages; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D019422:Dietary Sucrose