Abstract P209: Sugar and Artificially-sweetened Beverages and 6-year Weight Change: Results From The Hispanic Community Health Study, Study of Latinos

Abstract

Background: Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the largest contributor to added sugars and calories in the U.S. diet with highest intake among US Hispanics. The prevalence of obesity in adults in the US is much higher in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites (47% and 38% respectively). Improving our understanding of the association between SSB and artificially sweetened beverage (ASB) consumption and measures of adiposity can inform interventions targeting overweight and obesity. Aim: Examine the independent associations of daily SSB and ASB consumption with 6-year changes in weight, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) in Hispanics in the US. Methods: We examined 7402 adults without diabetes aged 18-74yrs at baseline (2008-11) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a multi-site community-based cohort in the US. Baseline exposures of daily SSB and ASB consumption were estimated combining two 24-hour dietary recalls and a Food Propensity Questionnaire using the NCI method to correct for measurement error and account for episodically consumed foods. Complex survey linear regression models were used to examine associations of SSBs and ASBs with 6-year change in weight (kg), WC (cm) and BMI. Models were adjusted for age, gender, center, background, education, employment, marital status, cigarette use, physical activity, healthy eating index, depressive symptoms, non-SSB sugar intake, years in the US and years between visits. Interactions of SSB and ASB with gender and years lived in the U.S. (US born, >10yr, ≤10 yr) were assessed. Results: Overall, 3326 [male=49.7%] and 1244 [male=35.7%] reported daily intake of >2 servings of SSBs and ASBs respectively whereas 2203 [male=26.1%] and 4318 [male=41.2%] reported daily intake < 1 servings of SSBs and ASBs respectively. Daily energy intake (kcal) was higher among those with higher daily SSB consumption [means=14768 and 2008 kcals; <1 serving and >2 servings, respectively] and lower with higher ASB consumption (means=1836 and 1773 kcals; <1 serving and >2 servings, respectively). Daily sugar intake independent of SSBs was higher with daily consumption of both SSB and ASB (<1 serving vs. 2 servings). Non-significant associations were found for daily SSB and ASB intake and changes in adiposity for all measures in males and females. Interaction between years in the U.S. and ASB consumption were significant only for change in weight and BMI [p<0.05]. Among those consuming <1 serving per day of ASBs, there was a larger mean change in weight and BMI for those who spent < 10yr in the U.S. compared to U.S. born. Conclusion: In this diverse Hispanic cohort, 6-year changes in measures of adiposity are not associated with daily SSB or ASB consumption. Modification of the association of ASB and measures of adiposity by years in US suggests further exploration is needed to discern its relationship among Hispanics.