Association between Soft Drink Consumption and Asthma among Qatari Adults

Abstract

We aimed to examine the association between soft drink consumption and asthma and lung function among Qatari adults. In the cross-sectional study, we used data from 986 Qatari participants aged 20 years and above attending the Qatar Biobank Study. Usual consumption of soft drink was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Lung function was measured by spirometry and asthma was based on self-report. The associations between soft drink consumption and asthma and lung function were assessed using multivariable logistic and linear regression, respectively. In total, 65 participants out of 986 (6.6%) reported having asthma. A clear dose-response relationship between soft drink consumption and asthma was found. High soft drink consumers (≥7 times/week) were 2.60 (95% CI 1.20–5.63) times more likely to have asthma as compared to non-consumers. The association was partly mediated by BMI and inflammation. Diet soft drink consumption was positively associated with asthma (OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.02–1.23)) but not with lung function. Regular soft drink consumption was inversely associated with FEV1, but not with FVC. In conclusion, soft drink consumption is positively associated with asthma in Qatari adults. The association is partly mediated by obesity and inflammation. Limiting soft drink consumption should be taken into consideration for asthma prevention.

Association between soft drinks consumption and asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Table 1 shows the main characteristics of all 19 studies included in our review. Twelve studies reported on childhood exposure to soft drinks,5 11 12 14 24–31 six studies on adulthood exposure to soft drinks13 15 16 32–34 and two studies on maternal consumption of soft drinks and asthma in the offspring 31 35. Three studies were cohort studies16 31 35 and 16 were cross-sectional studies 5 12–15 24 26–30 32–34 36 37.…”

“…Twelve studies reported on childhood exposure to soft drinks,5 11 12 14 24–31 six studies on adulthood exposure to soft drinks13 15 16 32–34 and two studies on maternal consumption of soft drinks and asthma in the offspring 31 35. Three studies were cohort studies16 31 35 and 16 were cross-sectional studies 5 12–15 24 26–30 32–34 36 37. Six studies were conducted in Europe,5 14 26 29 32 35 six in the USA,12 16 24 31 33 36 four in Asia,15 25 27 34 one in Brazil,30 one in New Zealand28 and one in Australia 13.…”

“…Three studies were cohort studies16 31 35 and 16 were cross-sectional studies 5 12–15 24 26–30 32–34 36 37. Six studies were conducted in Europe,5 14 26 29 32 35 six in the USA,12 16 24 31 33 36 four in Asia,15 25 27 34 one in Brazil,30 one in New Zealand28 and one in Australia 13. The studies were published between 2002 and 2019.…”

“…Adulthood exposure was studied in six studies: one cohort study16 reporting HRs, and five cross-sectional studies13 15 32–34 reporting ORs. The meta-analysis of soft drinks consumption and asthma in adults was based on the five cross-sectional studies only, therefore providing only estimates of the prevalence of asthma.…”

Diet and Food Allergy as Risk Factors for Asthma in the Arabian Gulf Region: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs

“…Results also showed that parental history of allergic rhinitis, maternal asthma and mothers having a first baby were the main factors associated with the mode of feeding [40]. A recent cross-sectional study carried out on 986 Qatari adults examined the associations between asthma incidence and soft drink intake and found that after controlling for demographic variables, BMI, inflammation, intake of fruit and vegetable, physical activity and smoking, adults who consumed soft drinks ≥7 times/week were more than twice as likely to have asthma compared to non-consumers [41]. In a case-control study that examined the differences of serum 25(OH)D concentrations in children aged <16 y (483 asthmatic, 483 healthy control) conducted in the paediatric primary care clinics in Qatar, asthmatic children had lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations (<20 ng/mL) than healthy children.…”