Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain in 2- to 5-Year-Old Children

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in school-age children and adolescents is linked to heavier weight, and decreased SSB consumption results in less weight gain. Reports regarding these associations among children aged 2 to 5 years have been mixed. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Preschool-aged and kindergarten children drinking SSB compared with infrequent/nondrinkers had higher BMI z scores. SSB consumption is also associated with higher weight status among children aged 2 to 5 years. abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been tightly linked to weight status among older children, the data regarding these relationships in children aged 2 to 5 years have been mixed. Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between SSB consumption and weight status among children aged 2 to 5 years. METHODS:We assessed SSB consumption and BMI z scores among 9600 children followed in the Early Childhood Longitudinal SurveyBirth Cohort, using linear and logistic regression and adjusting for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mother' s BMI, and television viewing. RESULTS:Higher rates of SSB consumption were associated with higher BMI z scores among children age 4 (P , .05) and 5 (P , .001) but not yet at 2 years. Children aged 5 years who drank SSB regularly (compared with infrequent/nondrinkers) had a higher odds ratio for being obese (1.43, confidence interval 1.10-1.85, P , .01). In prospective analysis, children drinking SSB at 2 years (compared with infrequent/nondrinkers) had a greater subsequent increase in BMI z score over the ensuing 2 years (P , .05). CONCLUSIONS:Similar to what is seen among older children, children aged 2 to 5 years drinking SSB demonstrate both prospective and cross-sectional correlations with higher BMI z score. Pediatricians and parents should discourage SSB consumption to help avoid potential unhealthy weight gain in young children. From a public health standpoint, strong consideration should be made toward policy changes leading to decreases in SSB consumption among children.