Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption Research Articles

School health promotion and the consumption of water and sugar-sweetened beverages in secondary schools: a cross-sectional multilevel study

BackgroundOverweight among adolescents remains a serious concern worldwide and can have major health consequences in later life, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Still, 33% of secondary school adolescents in the Netherlands consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily and over 26% do not consume water every day. The Dutch Healthy School program was developed to support schools in stimulating healthier lifestyles by focusing on health education, school environments, identifying students’ health problems, and school policy. We examined the variation between secondary schools regarding the daily consumption of water and sugar-sweetened beverages and whether this variation can be explained by differences between schools regarding Healthy School certification, general school characteristics, and the school population.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional multilevel study. We used data from the national Youth Health Monitor of 2019 on secondary schools (grades 8 and 10, age range about 12 to 18 years) of seven Public Health Services and combined these with information regarding Healthy School certification and general school- and school population characteristics. Our outcomes were daily consumption of water and sugar-sweetened beverages. In total, data from 51,901 adolescents from 191 schools were analysed. We calculated the intraclass correlation to examine the variation between schools regarding our outcomes. Thereafter, we examined whether we could explain this variation by the included characteristics.ResultsThe school-level explained 4.53% of the variation in the consumption of water and 2.33% of the variation in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This small variation in water and sugar-sweetened consumption could not be explained by Healthy School certification, yet some general school- and school population characteristics did: the proportion of the school population with at least one parent with high educational attainment, the educational track of the adolescents, urbanicity (only for water consumption) and school type (only for sugar-sweetened beverages consumption).ConclusionsThe low percentages of explained variation indicate that school-level characteristics in general (including Healthy School certification) do not matter substantially for the daily consumption of water and sugar-sweetened beverages. Future research should examine whether school health promotion can contribute to healthier lifestyles, and if so, under which level of implementation and school conditions.

Sugar and low/no-calorie-sweetened beverage consumption and associations with body weight and waist circumference changes in five European cohort studies: the SWEET project

PurposeResults of prospective studies investigating associations between low/no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) and body weight-related outcomes are inconclusive. We conducted dose–response and theoretical replacement individual patient data meta-analyses using harmonised prospective data to evaluate associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, low/no-calorie sweetened beverage (LNCB) consumption, and changes in body weight and waist circumference.MethodsIndividual participant data were obtained from five European studies, i.e., Lifelines Cohort Study, NQplus study, Alpha Omega Cohort, Predimed-Plus study, and Feel4diabetes study, including 82,719 adults aged 18–89 with follow-up between 1 and 9 years. Consumption of SSB and LNCB was assessed using food-frequency questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses adjusting for major confounders and including substitution models were conducted to quantify associations in individual cohorts; random-effects meta-analyses were performed to pool individual estimates.ResultsOverall, pooled results showed weak adverse associations between SSB consumption and changes in body weight (+ 0.02 kg/y, 95%CI 0.00; 0.04) and waist circumference (+ 0.03 cm/y, 95%CI 0.01; 0.05). LNCB consumption was associated with higher weight gain (+ 0.06 kg/y, 95%CI 0.04; 0.08) but not with waist circumference. No clear associations were observed for any theoretical replacements, i.e., LNCB or water for SSB or water for LNCB.ConclusionIn conclusion, this analysis of five European studies found a weak positive association between SSB consumption and weight and waist change, whilst LNCB consumption was associated with weight change only. Theoretical substitutions did not show any clear association. Thus, the benefit of LNCBs as an alternative to SSBs remains unclear.

Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: a cross-sectional study among university students in Sarawak

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and type of SSB among the students at a public university in Sarawak. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate students in a public university of Malaysia. Using questionnaire, data on socio-demographic, SSB consumption, family and personal history of diabetes, knowledge on SSB intake was collected, together with anthropometry measurement. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. Results: A total of 208 respondents participated in the study. About one fourth of the respondents consumed SSB at least one time daily (83.6%) and as high as 72.1% consumed SSBs more than three times a week. The top three most consumed types of SSBs were coffee, flavoured milk and 3-in-1 sachet drink (53.4 to 76.0%). Only ethnicity showed a significant association with daily intake of SSB where Malay and other ethics groups (Bumiputra Sarawak, Bumiputra Sabah, Indian and other ethnic groups) had higher daily consumption (≥1 times) of SSB compared to Chinese respondents. Other independent variables showed no significant difference between those who consumed SSB and consumed more than once per day. Conclusions: Understanding the SSB consumption among young adults is important to formulate a more effective intervention strategy especially at Malaysia with a multicultural society, in which every ethnicity has their own eating culture.

The link between unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents: a latent class analysis

ABSTRACT Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (ULBs) in children and adolescents are relatively common. Previous studies have shown an association between a single ULBs and emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs); however, few studies have explored the connection between multiple behavioral patterns and EBPs in children and adolescents. Hence, we aimed to investigate the link between ULBs clusters and EBPs among Chinese children and adolescents. From April to May 2019, we used cluster sampling to investigate children and adolescents in grades 1–12 from 14 schools located across six streets of Bao’an District in the city of Shenzhen. We measured emotional and behavioral problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). ULBs included the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, takeaway and fast food consumption, lack of sleep, low outdoor activity, and excessive screen time. We performed clustering of ULBs using the regression hybrid modeling method of latent class analysis (LCA). We analyzed the association between ULBs and EBPs using logistic regression. In total, 30188 children and adolescents remained for analysis, with an average age of 12.44 ± 3.47 years. The LCA revealed four distinct patterns of ULBs: (1) lowest risk; (2) high-risk unhealthy lifestyle behaviors; (3) high-risk dietary unhealthy lifestyle behaviors; and (4) highest risk. Compared to ULBs with the lowest risk, high-risk ULBs, high-risk dietary ULBs, and highest risk ULBs were positively correlated with EBPs, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 1.27, 1.34 and 2.05, respectively. Children and adolescents who reported engaging in multiple ULBs were also more likely to have poorer EBPs status. This implies that school administrations should pay more attention to the management of dietary and lifestyle behaviors to prevent EBPs in children and adolescents. Our findings highlight the need to focus on multiple clusters of ULBs among adolescents in a preventive care system and to validate EBP that may occur in children who are exposed to ULBs.

Pancreatic β-Cell Apoptosis in Normoglycemic Rats is Due to Mitochondrial Translocation of p53-Induced by the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.

Overstimulation of pancreatic β-cells can lead to dysfunction and death, prior to the clinical manifestations of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The excessive consumption of carbohydrates induces metabolic alterations that can affect the functions of the β-cells and cause their death. We analyzed the role of p53 in pancreatic β cell death in carbohydrate-supplemented Sprague Dawley rats. For four months, the animals received drinking water containing either 40% sucrose or 40% fructose. The glucose tolerance test was performed at week 15. Apoptosis was assessed with the TUNEL assay (TdT-mediated dUTP-nick end-labeling). Bax, p53, and insulin were assessed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative PCR. Insulin, triacylglycerol, and serum glucose and fatty acids in pancreatic tissue were measured. Carbohydrate consumption promotes apoptosis and mobilization of p53 from the cytosol to rat pancreatic β-cell mitochondria before blood glucose rises. An increase in p53, miR-34a, and Bax mRNA was also detected (P < 0.001) in the sucrose group. As well as hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, visceral fat accumulation, and increased pancreatic fatty acids in the sucrose group. Carbohydrate consumption increases p53 and its mobilization into β-cell mitochondria and coincides with the increased rate of apoptosis, which occurs before serum glucose levels rise.

P02-047-23 Tap Water Perceptions and Water Filter Use in Relation to Water and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in University Students

P02-047-23 Tap Water Perceptions and Water Filter Use in Relation to Water and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in University Students

Unhealthy Foods and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption Among Bangladeshi Adolescents and Their Sociodemographic Determinants: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study.

Consumption of savory crispy or fried snacks (SCFS), sugary snacks (SS), and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is associated with an increased prevalence of obesity and noncommunicable diseases. We aimed to estimate the consumption of SCFS, SS, and SSB among adolescent males and females in Bangladesh and to report the factors associated with their consumption using data from a nationwide cross-sectional survey. We interviewed 4,907 adolescent males and 4,865 females for the seven-day recall on intake of SCFS, SS, and SSB from 82 randomly selected clusters from rural, non-slum urban, and slum areas. Sociodemographic and anthropometry data were also collected. Consumption of SCFS, SS, and SSB for ≥7 times per week was reported by 11.6%, 28.9%, and 25.6% of the males and 4.9%, 24.8%, and 20.7% of the females, respectively. The weekly mean frequency of SCFS, SS, and SSB intake increased after adjustment for potential confounders among females with higher maternal education and for SCFS and SSB among males with the highest level of father's education. Increased intake of SS and SSB for both males and females was associated with dwelling in a female-headed household. SCFS intake was higher among both males and females from the richest households. Nutritional status, both overweight and obesity, and underweight, was not associated with a more frequent intake of SCFS and SS among males and females; however, a lower frequency of intake of SSB was observed among overweight and obese males.Screen time (television viewing:none, up to 1 hour, and more than 1 hour) was not associated with consumption of SCFS and SSB among both males and females. Consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks is high among adolescents in Bangladesh and needs to be addressed through policy and program measures to abate the epidemic of obesity and associated NCD.

P17-039-23 Global, Regional, and National Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Children and Adolescents Between 1990 and 2018: New Findings From the Global Dietary Database

P17-039-23 Global, Regional, and National Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in Children and Adolescents Between 1990 and 2018: New Findings From the Global Dietary Database

Is exposure to pharmaceutical direct-to-consumer advertising for heart disease and diabetes associated with physical activity and dietary behavior?

ContextScholars have suggested that direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs may discourage or encourage changes in lifestyle to improve health. The current paper informs this debate by examining associations between estimated exposure to DTCA for drugs focused on heart disease/cholesterol and diabetes and self-reported exercise and consumption of a variety of unhealthy foods (candy, sugary drinks, alcohol, and fast food). MethodsWe estimated exposure to DTCA by combining data from Kantar Media Intelligence (Kantar) on televised pharmaceutical DTCA airings in the U.S. from January 2003 to August 2016 (n = 7,696,851 airings) with thirteen years of data from the Simmons National Consumer Survey (Simmons), a mailed survey on television viewing patterns. We estimated associations between exposure to advertising (both overall and for advertisements with specific content) and self-reported physical activity and dietary behavior using Simmons data from January 2004 to December 2016 (n = 288,483 respondents from n = 157,621 unique households in the U.S.). Our analysis controls for many potential confounders including respondent demographics, temporal trends, and program placement to account for purposeful ad targeting to higher-risk adults. FindingsHigher estimated exposure to DTCA for heart disease and diabetes drugs were not consistently associated with meaningful differences in the frequency of engaging in regular physical activity. Greater estimated exposure to DTCA for both diseases were, linked to small but consistently higher volume of consumption of candy, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, and fast food. Specific DTCA message content about diet and exercise explained very little of the observed association between overall DTCA exposure volume and study outcomes. ConclusionsMany Americans were regularly exposed to pharmaceutical DTCA for heart disease and diabetes from 2003 to 2016. Widespread exposure to such DTCA is associated with higher levels (though small in magnitude) of consuming alcohol, fast food, candy, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

996-P: Cost-Effectiveness of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Policies in California—A Microsimulation Study

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In California, state-wide SSB taxes were proposed to reduce its consumption. We projected the health and economic consequence of imposing a state-wide SSB excise tax of $0.01/ounce over 10 years in California, using the Microsimulation of Nutrition, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (MONDAC) developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and RTI International. The MONDAC model is a validated microsimulation model to track user-defined dietary changes on downstream outcomes: body-mass index, diabetes incidence, cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence, all-cause mortality, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), direct medical costs, and cost-effectiveness. We generated a California representative sample aged ≥ 18 years based on data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and 2018 census. Data on reduction of the SSB consumption (by 20%) and program’s costs resulting from the $0.01/ounce SSB taxes were from published literature. We found that imposing a $0.01-per-ounce excise SSB tax in California would reduce diabetes, CVD, deaths and healthcare costs but increase QALYs, thus this policy would be cost-saving (Table). Disclosure Y.Chen: None. G.Imperatore: None. D.B.Rolka: None. B.T.Allaire: None. S.J.Onufrak: None. C.S.Holliday: None. P.Zhang: None.

Healthy beverage index could decrease odds of metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

Some studies indicated that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were related to MetS risk, and others found no relationship between MetS and SSBs. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between healthy beverage index (HBI) and MetS in Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was performed on baseline data FASA cohort. Out of 10,127 participants in the FASA cohort study, 8838 participants were included in this study. The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III was used for MetS definition. The HBI was calculated by a 125-item food frequency questionnaire with standard criteria. The association between HBI and MetS and its components was evaluated by univariate regression. Multivariate regression with the backward method was used for adjusting confounders. p < .05 was considered as statistically significant. Compared to the first quartile, it was observed that HBI in the last quartile was significantly related to lower odds of MetS in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-0.87, p < .001). Also, we observed a significant association between the last quartile of HBI with lower odds of high waist circumference (WC) (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.45-0.67, p < .002). Our findings showed that the higher HBI score reduced MetS odds and WC. Therefore, to reduce the odds of MetS, a healthy pattern of beverage consumption, including drinking water, low-fat milk, unsweetened tea, and coffee, and reducing the consumption of SSB are recommended. More studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Healthy eating interventions delivered in early childhood education and care settings for improving the diet of children aged six months to six years.

Healthy eating interventions delivered in early childhood education and care settings for improving the diet of children aged six months to six years.

The differential predictive utility of two caregiver-targeted self-efficacy measures to promote oral health of underserved children.

Oral health self-efficacy is a modifiable determinant of early childhood caries, which is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases. Yet, two common measures of self-efficacy (i.e., context-specific and behavior-specific) lack validation and clarity in the prediction of children's oral health behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of two caregiver oral health self-efficacy measures and investigated the predictive ability and age-varying effects of caregiver oral health self-efficacy on child oral health behaviors. In this secondary data analysis of caregiver-child dyads (n = 754, Mchild age = 2.4, 56.2% Black or African American, 68.3% below poverty level), caregivers reported their oral health self-efficacy and their child's tooth brushing frequency, diet, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 months. Psychometrics were examined with confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and the predictive ability and age-varying effects of caregiver self-efficacy on child oral health behaviors were examined with time-varying effect models (TVEMs). The context- and behavior-specific oral health self-efficacy CFA models indicated mixed model fit. In the predictive TVEM models, greater behavior-specific, but not context-, oral health self-efficacy predicted greater child tooth brushing across all ages. Greater context-specific oral health self-efficacy predicted healthier child diet throughout childhood, but greater behavior-specific self-efficacy only predicted healthier child diet in older children. Greater behavior-specific self-efficacy predicted lower SSB consumption throughout childhood while greater context-specific self-efficacy only predicted lower SSB consumption in younger children. Both caregiver oral health self-efficacy measures were psychometrically comparable and differentially predicted oral health behaviors across varying childhood ages. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Dietary and lifestyle profiles between patients with and without cancer in the national health interview survey.

12073 Background: Although poor diet and lifestyle has been associated with cancer development and progression, it is unclear how the diagnosis of cancer impacts diet and lifestyle. We examined the dietary patterns and overall nutrition of adults diagnosed with cancer versus those never diagnosed with cancer in the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Methods: NHIS adults who reported having cancer (n=2,853) and not having cancer (n=27,002) were identified. A dietary/lifestyle score was developed based on World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Prevention Recommendations (Table). Participants were given a score for each recommendation which was then summed as an overall score, with seven meeting all requirements fully and zero meeting none of the requirements. Results: The mean composite score for the cancer population was 4.28 ± 0.88 and for the noncancer population was 4.30 ± 0.90 (p = 0.18). Compared to patients without cancer, those with a cancer diagnosis had higher rates of adherence to recommendations for fruit/vegetable consumption (0.08 vs. 0.07, p &lt;0.001) and limitation of sugar-sweetened beverages (0.77 vs. 0.74, p &lt;0.001), but had lower rates of the recommended physical activity (0.43 vs. 0.49, p &lt;0.001). Conclusions: Patients with and without diagnosis of cancer had mediocre adherence (4.3 out of 7) to lifestyle recommendations, although those with diagnosis of cancer had a higher consumption of fruits/vegetables, lower consumption of sugary beverages, and lower level of physical activity than those without cancer. The data suggests a cancer diagnosis may prompt change in people’s diet, but may limit their ability to exercise. The magnitude of lifestyle change that one can make after a cancer diagnosis may also be influenced by age or social connections. There is great opportunity for integrating healthy lifestyle interventions into routine cancer care. [Table: see text]

Photo-Enhanced Health Promotion Messages to Target Reduction in Dietary Sugar among Residents of Public Housing.

Interventions intended to reduce the consumption of dietary sugars among those population groups demonstrating disproportionately greater and more frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods (SSBF) would benefit from intervention strategies that are tailored to population-specific barriers and facilitators. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the acceptability of photo-enhanced and theory-based health promotion messages that target the reduction in SSBF among adult residents of public housing developments, a population known for their high rates of chronic disease. Using the message development tool as a framework, we developed a series of 15 SSBF reduction messages, using an iterative process with community member input. We then evaluated the acceptability of the messages and compared three delivery mechanisms: print, text, and social media. We recruited participants who were residents of urban public housing developments, and who spoke either English or Spanish. A majority of participants identified as being of Hispanic ethnicity (73%). The message acceptability scoring did not appear to differ according to the assigned delivery mechanism, despite some imbalances in participants' characteristics across delivery mechanisms. The messages that targeted motivation were least likely to be accepted. In conclusion, our findings suggest that engaging members of the community at all phases of the development process was a feasible method to develop SSBF reduction messages with a high perceived acceptability.

20-Year Trends in Metabolic Syndrome Among Korean Adults From 2001 to 2020

BackgroundThe number of people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide, and many socioeconomic and environmental factors contribute to this. ObjectivesThe authors investigated tangible trends in the prevalence of MetS using the 2001 to 2020 versions of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). MethodsIn these surveys, stratified multistage sampling designs were used to approximate the entire population. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and lifestyle variables were examined in a standardized fashion. Metabolic biomarkers were measured in a central laboratory operated by the Korean government. ResultsThe age-adjusted prevalence of MetS increased significantly from 27.1% in 2001 to 33.2% in 2020. It was more prevalent in men (25.8%→40.0%) but did not change in women (28.2%→26.2%). Among the 5 MetS components, the proportions of high glucose level and large waist circumference increased substantially by 17.9% and 12.2% over 20 years, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly, resulting in a decrease in low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 20.4%. Caloric intake derived from carbohydrates decreased from 68.1% to 61.3%, while fat consumption increased from 16.7% to 23.0%. Notably, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption showed an almost 4-fold increase from 2007 to 2020, while physical activity levels decreased by 12.2% from 2014 to 2020. ConclusionsGlycemic dysregulation and abdominal obesity were key features contributing to the increased prevalence of MetS observed in Korean men during the past 20 years. Rapid economic and socioenvironmental changes in this period may be involved in this phenomenon. Understanding these changes in MetS could be valuable for other countries undergoing such socioeconomic transformation.

Association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength: results from a sample of Chinese adolescents

BackgroundAlthough sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has become an important and widespread concern, there are few studies on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength in Chinese adolescents. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength in Chinese adolescents.MethodsA stratified whole-group sampling method was used to survey 25,893 adolescents aged 13–15 years old in China for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength for grip strength and standing long jump. The subjects’ basic information, body mass index (BMI), and covariates were investigated. The association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength was analyzed by multivariate logisitc regression analysis.ResultsThe proportions of Chinese adolescents who consumed sugar-sweetened beverage ≥ 3 times/week, 1–2 times/week, and < 1 time/week were 12.23%, 52.79%, and 34.98%, respectively. The differences in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency were statistically significant when compared across gender, parental education, duration of physical activity, snacks, and mode of commuting to school (χ2 values = 228.570, 51.422, 275.552, 3165.656, 10.988, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that overall Chinese adolescents with sugary drinks 1–2 times/week (OR = 1.207, 95% CI:1.132–1.287) and sugary drinks ≥ 3 times/week (OR = 1.771, 95% CI:1.611–1.947) were associated with lower muscle strength compared to sugary drinks < 1 time/week showed a positive association (P < 0.01). The same trend was found for boys and girls.ConclusionChinese adolescents’ sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is common, and high-frequency sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with lower muscle strength. In the future, we should control the use of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase muscular strength training in Chinese adolescents to promote healthy growth.

Lifestyle and Dietary Patterns during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Bahrain: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, perceived weight, sleep, and physical activity worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this study, we aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on these lifestyle factors in Bahrain. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1005 adult Bahrainis. Data were collected online using a structured and validated questionnaire for the assessment of eating habits, physical activity, and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were snowballed through those who agreed to answer the online questionnaire. There was a higher consumption of fast food, and a higher dependence on takeaways during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 63.5% of the participants consumed >4 meals per day, compared to 36.5% before the COVID-19. About 30% reported consumption of sugar sweetened beverages from two to three times a day. Weight loss was predominantly observed in persons exercising 1-3 times a week. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was also high, with about 19% reporting drinking sweet beverages once every day, 10.6% from two to three times a day, and 40.4% from one to four times a week. A higher proportion of the participants reported poor sleep quality during the pandemic (31.2%) compared to before (12.2%), and 39.7% of the participants reported feeling lazy. Screen time use also doubled during the pandemic, with participants spending more than five hours per day on screens for entertainment, which went from 22.4% before to 51.9% during the pandemic. The lifestyle and dietary habits changed drastically for our study participants during the pandemic. The increased reliance on processed fast food instead of healthier options is a challenge to be tackled in any future pandemic situation. Future research needs to focus on strategies to promote healthier lifestyle modifications during situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation on sugars intake and dental caries: an umbrella review of a global perspective

BackgroundAs part of the Global Strategy on Oral health, the World Health Organization (WHO) is exploring cost-effective interventions for oral health, including taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). To inform this process, this umbrella review aimed to identify the best available estimates pertaining to the impact of SSB taxation on the reduction of sugars intake, and the sugars-caries dose–response, such that estimates of the impact of SSB taxation on averting dental caries in both high (HIC) and low and middle (LMIC) countries be available.MethodsThe questions addressed were: (1) what are the effects of SSB taxation on consumption of SSBs and (2) sugars? (3) What is the effect on caries of decreasing sugars? and (4) what is the likely impact of a 20% volumetric SSB tax on the number of active caries prevented over 10 years? Data sources included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Systematic Review Register, and PROSPERO. The review was conducted with reference to JBI guidelines. The quality of included systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR to identify best evidence.ResultsFrom 419 systematic reviews identified for questions 1 & 2, and 103 for question 3, 48 (Questions 1 & 2) and 21 (Question 3) underwent full text screening, yielding 14 and five included reviews respectively. Best available data indicated a 10% tax would reduce SSB intake by 10.0% (95% CI: -5.0, 14.7%) in HIC and by 9% (range -6.0 to 12.0%) in LMIC, and that a 20% tax would reduce free sugars intake on average by 4.0 g/d in LMIC and 4.4 g/d in HIC. Based on best available dose response data, this could reduce the number of teeth with caries per adults (HIC and LMIC) by 0.03 and caries occurrence in children by 2.7% (LMIC) and 2.9% (HIC), over a 10-year period.ConclusionBest available data suggest a 20% volumetric SSB tax would have a modest impact on prevalence and severity of dental caries in both HIC and LMIC.

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among pregnant women attending general and teaching hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria

BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have become a global health concern because of their adverse health effects and their association with the obesity pandemic. It has not received much attention in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, especially among pregnant women. The pattern, frequency and factors associated with SSBs among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria, were investigated.DesignData were from the Ibadan Pregnancy Cohort Study - a prospective cohort study investigating 1745 pregnant women from four comprehensive obstetric facilities in Ibadan. A qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess the pregnant women’s intake of food and drinks over the previous months. Sugar-sweetened beverage variable and scores were also generated using the principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Factors associated with high SSB scores were examined using multivariate logistics regression analyses at a 5% significance level.ResultsThe most commonly consumed SSBs were cocoa-sweetened beverages, soft drinks, malt drinks, and fruit juice. A quarter of the women (75th percentile) consumed SSB more than once weekly. The factors associated with high SSB on multivariate analysis were; being employed (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.26), maternal obesity (AOR: 0.065, 95% CI 0.47–0.89), high fruit intake (AOR:3.62, 95% CI 2.62–4.99), high green vegetable consumption (AOR:1.99, 95% CI 1.06–3.74), high milk intake (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.65– 2.74), frequent fast food outlet visit (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI 1.53–1.70), all of these remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables.ConclusionSSBs were common among our study population. Factors associated with high SSBs intake are crucial for implementing locally relevant public health interventions.