Replacing sugary drinks with milk is inversely associated with weight gain among young obesity-predisposed children.
The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of sugary drink consumption and its substitution with alternative beverages with body weight gain among young children predisposed to future weight gain. Secondary analysis of the Healthy Start Study, a 1·5-year randomised controlled trial designed to prevent overweight among Danish children aged 2-6 years (n 366), was carried out. Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations of beverage consumption with change in body weight (Δweight) or BMI(ΔBMI) z-score. Substitution models were used to extrapolate the influence of replacing sugary drinks with alternative beverages (water, milk and diet drinks) on Δweight or ΔBMI z-score. Sugary drink intake at baseline and substitution of sugary drinks with milk were associated with both Δweight and ΔBMI z-score. Every 100 g/d increase in sugary drink intake was associated with 0·10 kg and 0·06 unit increases in body weight (P=0·048) and BMI z-score (P=0·04), respectively. Substitution of 100 g/d sugary drinks with 100 g/d milk was inversely associated with Δweight (β=-0·16 kg; P=0·045) and ΔBMI z-score (β=-0·07 units; P=0·04). The results of this study suggest that sugary drink consumption was associated with body weight gain among young children with high predisposition for future overweight. In line with the current recommendations, sugary drinks, whether high in added or natural sugar, should be discouraged to help prevent childhood obesity. Milk may be a good alternative to sugary drinks with regard to weight management among young obesity-predisposed children.
1School of Molecular Bioscience,Charles Perkins Centre,University of Sydney,Sydney,NSW 2006,Australia.
Miaobing
M
Zheng
1School of Molecular Bioscience,Charles Perkins Centre,University of Sydney,Sydney,NSW 2006,Australia.
Anna
A
Rangan
1School of Molecular Bioscience,Charles Perkins Centre,University of Sydney,Sydney,NSW 2006,Australia.
Margaret
M
Allman-Farinelli
2Research Unit for Dietary Studies,Institute of Preventive Medicine,Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals,The Capital Region,2400 Copenhagen,Denmark.
Jeanett Friis
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9300-9009
JF
Rohde
2Research Unit for Dietary Studies,Institute of Preventive Medicine,Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals,The Capital Region,2400 Copenhagen,Denmark.
Nanna Julie
NJ
Olsen
2Research Unit for Dietary Studies,Institute of Preventive Medicine,Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals,The Capital Region,2400 Copenhagen,Denmark.
Berit Lilienthal
BL
Heitmann
D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D064427:Nutritive Sweeteners / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D064427:Nutritive Sweeteners
Body weight; Milk; Obesity; Predisposition; SSB sugar-sweetened beverages; Sugary drinks; Young children; ΔBMI change in BMI; Δweight change in body weight