Mothers’ intake of sugar-containing beverages during pregnancy and body composition of their children during childhood: the Generation R Study

Abstract

High intake of sugar-containing beverages (SCBs) has been linked to increased risk of obesity. However, associations of SCB intake during pregnancy with child body composition have been unclear. We explored whether SCB intake during pregnancy was associated with children's body mass index (BMI) and detailed measures of body composition. In addition, we examined different types of SCBs (i.e., fruit juice, soda, and concentrate). We included 3312 mother-child pairs of the Generation R Study, a prospective cohort from fetal life onward in the Netherlands. Energy-adjusted SCB intake was assessed in the first trimester with a food-frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric data of the children were collected repeatedly ≤6 y of age, and BMI was calculated. At 6 y of age, we further measured fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. All outcomes were sex- and age-standardized. Associations of SCB intake with children's BMI trajectories and body composition were analyzed with multivariable linear mixed and regression models. Results from linear mixed models showed that, after adjustment for confounders including the SCB intake of the child itself, mothers' total SCB intake was positively associated with children's BMI ≤6 y of age [per serving per day: 0.04 SD score (SDS); 95% CI: 0.00, 0.07 SDS]. In addition, intakes of total SCBs and fruit juice, but not of soda or concentrate, were associated with a higher FMI [total SCBs: 0.05 SDS (95% CI: 0.01, 0.08 SDS); fruit juice: 0.04 SDS (95% CI: 0.01, 0.06 SDS)] of the 6-y-old children. These associations remained significant ( < 0.05) after additional adjustment for gestational weight gain, birth weight, and children's insulin concentrations. Our study suggests that maternal SCB intake during pregnancy is positively associated with children's BMI during early childhood and particularly with higher fat mass.

A maternal “mixed, high sugar” dietary pattern is associated with fetal growth

“…It has also been suggested that the influence of maternal dietary practices on infant adiposity may persist into childhood. For example, Jen et al demonstrated an association between sugar‐sweetened beverage intake during pregnancy and higher offspring fat mass index at 6 years of age (Jen et al, ). However, inconsistencies in the influence of dietary intakes and patterns on fetal growth and birth outcomes are evident.…”

Prenatal dietary exposures and offspring body size from 6 months to 18 years: A systematic review

“…However, SSB intakes (servings/day) were associated with greater sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (β 0.85, 95% CI 0.06, 1.64) and waist circumference (β 0.64, 95% CI 0.00, 1.27) . Additionally, among 3312 mother‐infant dyads in the Generation R Study, SSB consumption during the first trimester (servings/day) was associated with small increases in BMI trajectory from 6 months to 1 year and FMI at 6 years (β 0.04, 95% CI 0.00, 0.07 and β 0.05, 95% CI 0.01, 0.08, respectively) …”

“…Three studies assessed associations between prenatal beverage intakes and offspring body size (Table ) . All of the studies evaluated sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB) and two assessed artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) …”

“…Inconsistencies may be due to lack of information provided on the types of animal protein consumed during pregnancy, as one study found a small positive association between prenatal meat consumption and offspring adiposity . Lastly, mixed evidence was observed for the association between SSB and ASB consumption and offspring body size …”

Developmental Origins of Disease: Emerging Prenatal Risk Factors and Future Disease Risk

“…There is emerging evidence that prenatal intake of SSBs may influence intrauterine programming to increase obesity risk in childhood, after accounting for socio-demographics, overall dietary quality, and other obesity risk factors. Pre-birth cohorts Project Viva (United States) and Generation R (Netherlands) have reported prenatal SSB intake to be associated with higher offspring body mass index (BMI) z-scores, fat mass index, skinfold thicknesses and waist circumference during mid-childhood (~6–7 years) [19••, 20]. For example, in Project Viva, for each additional maternal serving per week of SSB during pregnancy, children had 0.07 SD units (95% CI: −0.01,0.15) higher BMI z-score.…”