Soft drinks consumption, diet quality and BMI in a Mediterranean population

Abstract

Objectives: Evidence of the effects of soft drinks consumption on BMI and lifestyle in adult populations is mixed and quite limited. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of soft drinks consumption with BMI and lifestyle in a representative Mediterranean population.

Design: Two independent, population-based, cross-sectional (2000 and 2005) studies. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. Weight and height were measured.

Setting: Girona, Spain.

Subjects: Random sample of the 35- to 74-year-old population (3910 men and 4285 women).

Results: Less than half (41·7%) of the population consumed soft drinks; the mean consumption was 36·2 ml/d. The prevalence of sedentary lifestyle increased with the frequency of soft drinks consumption (P = 0·025). Daily soft drinks consumption significantly increased the risk of low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR = 0·57, 95% CI 0·44, 0·74 v. top tertile of Mediterranean diet score). Multiple linear regression analyses, controlled for potential confounders, revealed that an increment in soft drinks consumption of 100 ml was associated with a 0·21 kg/m² increase in BMI (P = 0·001). Only implausibly low reports of energy consumption showed a null association between soft drinks consumption and BMI.

Conclusions: Soft drinks consumption was not embedded in a healthy diet context and was positively associated with BMI and sedentary lifestyle in this Mediterranean population.