Abstract
The associations between soy food intake and cardio-metabolic risk factors in children remain unclear due to limited evidence. We aim to explore soy food intake and its association with the risks of obesity and hypertension in Chinese children and adolescents. A total of 10,536 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years (5125 boys and 5411 girls) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Guangzhou City, southern China. Data on demographic characteristics and dietary consumption were collected using self-reported questionnaires, and anthropometric characteristics were measured. Obesity, abdominal obesity, and hypertension were defined using Chinese criteria for children and adolescents. A multiple logistic regression model was applied to estimate the association between soy food intake and obesity and hypertension. Roughly 39.5% of the participants consumed soy food more than three times per week. The mean amounts of liquid and solid soy food intake were 0.35 ± 0.54 cups/day and 0.46 ± 0.63 servings/day, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) of hypertension among those with high liquid soy food intake and a high frequency of all soy food intake (more than three times/week) were 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67–0.94), and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70–0.97) compared to those with no intake. Additionally, the adjusted OR of obesity among those with high solid soy food intake and a high frequency of all soy food intake were 1.34 (95% CI, 1.09–1.63) and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.07–1.58), respectively. In conclusion, 39.5% of southern Chinese children and adolescents had high soy food intake (more than three times/week), which was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension and a greater prevalence of obesity.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe prevalence of childhood cardio-metabolic risk factors, obesity and hypertension, are sharply increasing and constitute a major public health threat in China [1–3]; these risk factors may persist into adulthood and are the leading causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [4,5]
Soy Food Intake in Chinese Children and Adolescents According to Age
The trend showed that boys and girls tended to have more soy food intake as they grew up, especially in the middle of adolescence
Summary
The prevalence of childhood cardio-metabolic risk factors, obesity and hypertension, are sharply increasing and constitute a major public health threat in China [1–3]; these risk factors may persist into adulthood and are the leading causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [4,5]. Many studies have reported that a habitual diet is one of the most effective factors in regulating weight and blood pressure (BP) [6–9]. The consumption of soy food, one of the common habitual diet components, as a valuable source of isoflavones, phytosterols, lecithin, poly-unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibers, and high-quality protein has attracted significant attention [10] and has demonstrated many health benefits, including a reduction of CVD risk, making soy food worthy of further examination [11–13]. Several studies have reported that habitual soy food intake lowers the risk of high. Some studies observed no significant changes in BP after the consumption of soy food [7,23].
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