title: Association between sweet drink intake and adiposity in Danish children participating in a long-term intervention study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In some previous studies direct associations between intake of soft drinks, sugar-sweetened beverages and adiposity have been reported. The majority of these studies were, however, conducted in the USA and it is uncertain if the results are applicable to non-US countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the association between sweet drink intake at age 6 and 9 years and the subsequent 3- to 7-year changes in body mass index (BMI) and sum of four skin-folds (Σ4SF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on sweet drink intake (7 days food record) and physical activity (accelerometer) was obtained at age 6 years (n = 366) [Correction made here after initial online publication.] and 9 years (n = 269). Weight, height and Σ4SF were measured at age 6, 9 and 13 years. Additional information on socio-economic status, maternal BMI and pubertal status was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No associations were observed between sweet drink intake at age 6 years and change in BMI or logΣ4SF from age 6 to 9 years or 6 to 13 years. Also, no associations were observed between change in sweet drink intake from age 6 to 9 years and subsequent change in BMI or logΣ4SF from age 9 to 13 years. A weak direct association was observed between sweet drink intake at age 9 years and change in logΣ4SF from age 9 to 13 years (per 100 g ∼ 3.38 fl oz) (β: 0.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.001 to 0.029, P = 0.06), while no association was seen for BMI. In supplementary analyses a similar association was observed for soft drinks (β: 0.087, 95% CI: 0.048 to 0.126, P = 0.001) but only in the intervention group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed associations between intake of sweet drinks and soft drinks and change in skin-fold thickness in a group of Danish children. However, as the associations did not remain significant when multiple testing was considered or was only significant among children from the intervention group, the results do not confirm or refute the direct association reported in previous studies.
authors: Research Unit for Dietary Studies, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals, Copenhagen University Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
authors: B W
authors: BW
authors: Jensen
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Nielsen
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Husby
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bugge
authors: B
authors: B
authors: El-Naaman
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Andersen
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Trolle
authors: B L
authors: BL
authors: Heitmann
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates
keywords: Carbonated beverages; child; longitudinal studies; obesity