Global Intake of Major Beverages in Adults by Country Wealth and Sociodemographic Characteristics: Analysis of the Global Dietary Database 2015

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Assessing the impact of beverage intake on health has been limited by lack of reliable and standardized individual-level data on a global scale. We provide updated estimates of global intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), fruit juices, and milk, as well as novel estimates of coffee and tea, jointly by country, age, sex, education, and urban-rural residence for adults in 2015. Methods Beverge intake data in the Global Dietary Database were derived from 1144 national and subnational surveys from 1980 through 2015, covering 97.5% of the world's population. Mean intakes and 95% uncertainty intervals were estimated using a Bayesian hierarchical prediction model, and stratified by country (n = 185), urban-rural residence, sex, age group (all ages, 20 age groups), and education level (low, middle, high). The model combined primary data on individual-level intakes with time-varying country-level and survey-level covariates. Results Grouped by World Bank wealth categories, intake of SSBs was highest in low-income countries (LIC) and high-income countries (HIC) (0.7 servings (8-oz)/d each), and lowest in upper-middle income countries UMIC (0.4 s/d). Intakes were generally higher in men, urban residence, and with higher education, except in HIC were intakes did not differ by education. Fruit juice was highest in HIC (0.2 s/d) and lowest in lower-middle income countries (LMIC) (<0.04 s/d); and within countries, generally higher with urban residence and higher education. Coffee intake was highest in HIC (1.2 s/d) and lowest in LIC (0.7 s/d); and generally higher in men and with medium or high education level, without urban-rural differences. Tea intake was highest in HIC (0.8 s/d) and lowest in LMIC (0.5 s/d); and generally higher in women, urban residence, and with high education. Average milk intake ranged from 0.5 s/d in HIC to 0.2 s/d in LIC, LMIC and UMIC; and was generally higher at high education level, without differences by sex or urban-rural residence. Country-specific intakes and temporal trends since 1990 will be presented. Conclusions These novel global results highlight key findings and heterogeneity in intakes of different beverages, informing potential effects on health and corresponding policy priorities. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.