Risk associations of obesity with sugar-sweetened beverages and lifestyle factors in Chinese: the ‘Better Health for Better Hong Kong’ health promotion campaign

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases risk of obesity. Similar data are lacking in Chinese populations with rapid nutritional transition. We aimed to examine the association between SSB intake, lifestyle factors and obesity in Hong Kong Chinese. Subjects/Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey on SSB intake with 2295 (49.6%) men and 2334 (50.4%) women (age: median 43.0 years, range 18-81 years). They were recruited from a territory-wide health promotion campaign in Hong Kong. All subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent simple health tests. Their SSB intake was based on a 1-week recall (1 unit of SSB ¼ 250 ml, frequent SSB consumption ¼ daily intakeX2 units). Results: Men were more likely than women to smoke, drink alcohol, frequently consumed SSB (20.5 vs 9.5%) and ate more meat portions (2.32 ± 0.57 vs 2.15 ± 0.44) but were physically more active (no exercise: 31.2 vs 39.2%) (P-values: all o0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, frequent SSB intake remained independently associated with obesity in women (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.86 (1.36-2.55)) while physical inactivity (1.84 (1.41-2.39) for none vs regular), smoking (1.29 (1.05-1.58)) and high daily meat intake (2.15 (1.36, 3.42)) predicted obesity in men. Conclusions: In Chinese of working age, SSB consumption in women and physical inactivity, smoking and high meat intake in men were associated with obesity.

Demographic, socioeconomic and nutritional determinants of daily versus non-daily sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption

“…Earlier research in this population indicated that smoking was also associated with an unhealthy dietary pattern containing less fruits and vegetables (Mullie et al, 2009a, b). In a Chinese population, Ko et al (2010) found also a positive association between smoking and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. BMI was not positively associated with high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages; this is in contrast with the review of Malik et al (2006), which concluded that there was a positive association between soda consumption and obesity.…”

Food Addiction, Obesity and Neuroimaging

“…In China, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are a major food source with a high glycemic index (Murakami et al, 2006), thus are easily exploitable as a form of addictive substance. Another study found associations between frequent SSB intake and obesity predominantly in Chinese women, while lack of exercise, smoking, and high meat consumption increased the risk for greater weight gain in both genders (Ko et al, 2010). One study found that overweight children and adolescents consumed more energy, protein, and fat and ate fewer carbohydrates than did the controls (Guldan, 2010).…”

Fome, comida e bebida na música popular brasileira: um breve ensaio

“…We recall that at the time of recording of "Você não entende nada," Caetano Veloso was in exile in London; so, some verses of the song allude to this context (Napolitano, 2004;Tinhorão, 2013). On the other hand, other verses seem to depict the incorporation and dissemination of eating habits that are inadequate and dangerous to health, such as the consumption of Coca-Cola during the main meals and, simultaneously, consumption of dessert, coffee with sweetener and cigarettes (Brazil, 2006;Hu, Malik, 2010;Ko et al, 2010;Malik, Hu, 2012). Therefore, these verses seem to indicate a criticism of automation and the desire to break and transgress it:…”

“…Accumulated scientific evidence in recent years has highlighted these two markers as risk factors (consumption of soft drinks and other sweetened drinks) and protective factors (consumption of beans and the combination of beans with rice) associated with obesity and other chronic non-transmissible diseases (Brasil, 2006;Hu, Malik, 2010;Ko et al, 2010;Silva Santos, Moura, 2010;Malik, Hu, 2012;Rodrigues et al, 2013). On the other hand, based on socio-anthropological and nutritional parameters we assume the premise that the consumption of soft drinks (particularly Coca-Cola) is an eating habit imported from the United States of America, whereas the consumption of the combination of beans and rice is a typical Brazilian eating habit (Cascudo, 2004;Carneiro, 2005;Brasil, 2006;Coca-Cola..., 2013).…”