Beverage patterns and trends among school-aged children in the US, 1989-2008

Gentry Lasater,Carmen Piernas,Barry M Popkin

doi:10.1186/1475-2891-10-103

Gentry Lasater, Carmen Piernas + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-103

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Abstract

BackgroundHigh intake of sugar-sweetened beverages in childhood is linked to increased risk of obesity and type II diabetes later in life. Using three nationally representative surveys of dietary intake, we investigated beverage patterns and trends among US school-aged children from 1989/91 to 2007/08.Methods3, 583 participants ages 6-11 y old were included. We reported per capita trends in beverage consumption, percent consuming, and amount per consumer for the following categories of beverages: sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), caloric nutritional beverages (CNB) and low calorie beverages (LCB). Statistically significant differences were tested using the Student's t test in Stata 11.ResultsWhile per capita kcal contribution from total beverages remained constant over the study period, per capita consumption of SSBs increased and CNBs decreased in similar magnitude. The substantial increase in consumption of certain SSBs, such as fruit drinks and soda, high fat high sugar milk, and sports drinks, coupled with the decrease in consumption of high fat low sugar milk was responsible for this shift. The percent consuming SSBs as well as the amount per consumer increased significantly over time. Per capita intake of total milk declined, but the caloric contribution from high fat high sugar milk increased substantially. Among ethnicities, important differences in consumption trends of certain SSBs and 100% juice indicate the complexity in determining strategies for children's beverage calorie reduction.ConclusionsAs upward trends of SSB consumption parallel increases in childhood obesity, educational and policy interventions should be considered.

Highlights

High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages in childhood is linked to increased risk of obesity and type II diabetes later in life
Using three nationally representative surveys of food intake in the US, from 1989/91 to 2007/08, we report per capita trends in beverage consumption, percent consuming, and amount per consumer for the following categories of beverages: sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), such as sodas and sports drinks, caloric nutritional beverages (CNB), such as 100% fruit juice, and low calorie beverages (LCB), such as diet drinks and skim milk
Survey Design and Sample Participants were 3, 583 children aged 6-11 y old who participated in three US nationally representative dietary recall surveys: 1, 525 participants from the 19891991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII 89) [21]; 977 participants from the 2005-2006

Summary

Introduction

High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages in childhood is linked to increased risk of obesity and type II diabetes later in life. Sugar-sweetened beverages have received particular attention among the pediatrics profession as have other caloric beverages such as 100% fruit juices and fruit drinks [1]. Other studies have provided evidence that children consuming these beverages may have increased risk for the developing type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity later in life [5,6]. These risks can be attributed to the body’s low satiety response to liquid calories and a poor ability to compensate for these calories by reducing caloric intake in other areas, leading to potential weight gain over time [5,6]. Beverages with high sugar content increase the risk of developing dental caries, which is of high concern for this age group [7]

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