Abstract
BackgroundThe benefit of reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is widely accepted, but updated and in-depth data on New Zealand (NZ) children’s SSB consumption is lacking. The aims of this study were to describe beverage consumption, focusing on SSBs in primary school age children living in Auckland; to examine the association of selected socio-demographic, home, community and school factors and children’s beverage knowledge/attitudes with regards to beverage consumption; to explore the relationship between SSBs consumption and adiposity in children.MethodsA cross-sectional, Auckland-wide survey of 578 school age children (8-12 years) was conducted using questionnaires to collect data on beverage consumption, beverage knowledge/attitudes, and selected socio-demographic and home, community, school factors. Body fat percentage (BF%) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance (BIA).ResultsNinety-six percent of children consumed ≥1 serving of SSBs a week; with ≥5 servings reported by 62% of children. Of all SSBs assessed, consumption of ≥1 serving of sugar sweetened milk-based beverages (85%, mainly milk drinks made from powder) was most prevalent, followed by fruit juice (46%) and sugar-containing carbonated drinks (39%, mainly soft/fizzy drinks). Among unsweetened beverages, plain water was reported to be consumed < 2 times a day by 22% of children, and plain milk < 1 serving a day by 53%. Higher consumption of SSBs was associated with socio-economic disadvantage, non-NZ European ethnicities (Māori, Pacific, Asian, others), availability of SSBs in the home, frequent takeaway/convenience shop visits, children’s incorrect perception of adequate SSBs consumption frequency, and higher BF% (females only). School health policy and encouragement of children to consume un-sweetened beverages was not associated with SSBs consumption.ConclusionsThe consumption of SSBs is prevalent in NZ school age children, with higher consumption rates observed among those from socially disadvantaged areas. This high consumption is associated with higher BF% in females. Multi-contextual interventions to decrease SSBs should target children, and their families/environment, particularly those from socially disadvantaged areas.
Highlights
The benefit of reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is widely accepted, but updated and in-depth data on New Zealand (NZ) children’s sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption is lacking
We identified an association of SSBs with Body fat (BF)%, with the odds of having higher BF% increased in girls who consumed ≥5 servings of SSBs a week
confidence intervals (CI) confidence Interval, BF% body fat percentage, odds ratios (OR) Odds Ratio a Model xb (4) = 57, P < 0.0001 b BF% was coded as lower vs. higher: 1 = lower BF% (< 21%) and 2 = higher BF% (≥21%) c At the univariate level, a larger proportion of children consuming at least 5 servings of sugar-sweetened beverages were within the highest BF% category, 2.3 (1.6, 3.2), P < 0.0001 d P < 0.01; The model was adjusted for sex and school deciles fast foods/dairies/supermarket visits were associated with increased SSBs consumption, a finding confirmed by others [36]
Summary
The benefit of reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is widely accepted, but updated and in-depth data on New Zealand (NZ) children’s SSB consumption is lacking. Despite the issue of childhood obesity being at the forefront of policy makers’ minds, a large proportion of New Zealand (NZ) children are overweight (20%) and obese (12%) [1,2,3] This rate has not changed significantly since 2011/2012, and is disproportionately higher in some ethnic groups (e.g. 29 and 13% in Māori and 31 and 29% in Pacific children, respectively) and low socio-economic areas (almost three times as likely to be obese as children living in the higher socio-economic areas) [3]. Sugars in a liquid form may induce less satiety than in a solid form [9] and may promote the over-consumption of energy, contributing to the development of obesity and excess adiposity, and associated comorbidities (e.g. metabolic syndrome and diabetes)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.