Added sugar intake is associated with weight gain and risk of developing obesity over 30 years: The CARDIA study

Abstract

Background and aimsNumerous prospective studies have examined sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) intake associated with weight gain or incident obesity. Because SSB accounts for only 33 % of added sugar (AS) intake, we investigated the associations of AS intake with change in weight and waist circumference and risk of developing obesity. Methods and resultsAt baseline (1985–86) Black and White women and men, aged 18–30 years, enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study and were followed for 30 years (2015–16). A diet history assessed dietary intake 3 times over 20 years. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the associations of change in weight (n = 3306) and waist circumference (n = 3296) across quartiles of AS, adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors, and anthropometrics. Proportional hazards regression analysis evaluated the associations of time-varying cumulative AS intake with risk of incident obesity (n = 4023) and abdominal obesity (n = 3449), adjusting for the same factors. Over 30 years of follow-up, greater AS intake was associated with gaining 2.3 kg more weight (ptrend = 0.01) and 2.2 cm greater change in waist circumference (ptrend = 0.005) as well as increased risk of incident obesity (HR 1.28; 95 % CI: 1.08–1.53) and incident abdominal obesity (HR 1.27; 95 % CI:1.02–1.60). ConclusionOur findings are consistent with recommendations from the 2020–2025 U S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans to limit daily AS intake.