Correlates of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption of Malaysian preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years

Abstract

Background: There is little information about the diet, lifestyle and parental characteristics associated with habitual sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in Asian children. The aim of the present study was to assess crosssectional associations between habitual SSB consumption and preschoolers' diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviour as well as parental and child characteristics in Malaysian preschoolers aged 3 to 6 y. Methods: A total of 590 preschoolers, comprising 317 boys and 273 girls were included. Pre-pilot parental questionnaires were used to assess diet, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour practices and anthropometry was assessed in preschoolers and their parents. Results: Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that preschoolers with more frequent weekly intake of snacks [OR 2.7; 95% CI, 1.6-4.4; p < 0.001] and monthly fast food consumption [OR 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9-6.3; p < 0.001], were associated with higher SSB intake (≥5 days in a week), after adjustments of potential confounders. Preschoolers with higher daily fruit and vegetable intake had lower SSB intake [OR 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8; p = 0.011]. A positive association of higher weekly vigorous PA [OR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.7; p = 0.030] and daily screen-based practices [OR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6; p < 0.001] on habitual SSBs intake was also substantiated. Conclusion: Multiple diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour factors were significantly associated with SSB intake among Malaysian preschoolers. Continued effort is required to encourage healthier beverage choices, as well as healthy diet and active lifestyle practices among children during the critical early years of growth and development.

Impact of Obesogenic Environments on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Preschoolers: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Beijing

“…The present study showed that caregivers' rates of SSB consumption [24,40] and taking children to fast-food restaurants [41][42][43] frequently were positively associated with SSB consumption among their children, consistent with previous studies at home and abroad. Our study also identified that as low as one-third of caregivers read the NFPs frequently, which was negatively associated with SSB consumption among their children.…”

Development and Evaluation of a Diet Quality Index for Preschool-Aged Children in an Asian population: The Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes cohort

“…In this study, it was observed that the most consumed SSB was chocolate malted beverages (data not shown). This is similar to another study where Malaysian preschool children were reported to have flavoured and malted beverages as the most consumed SSB 33 . Next to a high contribution to sugar intake, these flavoured and malted beverages also explain the tendency for children in this study to overconsume dairy products.…”

The Relationship Between Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Takeaway Dietary Pattern, and Psychological and Behavioral Problems Among Children and Adolescents in China

“…Previous researches exactly reported the relationships between SSBs and takeaway dietary patterns ( 25 , 37 , 38 ). Relative fast-food and takeaway environment exposure was positively associated with SSB intake ( 39 , 40 ).…”