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. 2013 Sep;132(3):413-20.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-0570. Epub 2013 Aug 5.

Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in 2- to 5-year-old children

Mark D DeBoer  1 , Rebecca J Scharf, Ryan T Demmer
Affiliations

Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in 2- to 5-year-old children

Mark D DeBoer et al. Pediatrics. 2013 Sep.

Abstract

Background and objective: Although sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been tightly linked to weight status among older children, the data regarding these relationships in children aged 2 to 5 years have been mixed. Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between SSB consumption and weight status among children aged 2 to 5 years.

Methods: We assessed SSB consumption and BMI z scores among 9600 children followed in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey--Birth Cohort, using linear and logistic regression and adjusting for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mother's BMI, and television viewing.

Results: Higher rates of SSB consumption were associated with higher BMI z scores among children age 4 (P < .05) and 5 (P < .001) but not yet at 2 years. Children aged 5 years who drank SSB regularly (compared with infrequent/nondrinkers) had a higher odds ratio for being obese (1.43, confidence interval 1.10-1.85, P < .01). In prospective analysis, children drinking SSB at 2 years (compared with infrequent/nondrinkers) had a greater subsequent increase in BMI z score over the ensuing 2 years (P < .05).

Conclusions: Similar to what is seen among older children, children aged 2 to 5 years drinking SSB demonstrate both prospective and cross-sectional correlations with higher BMI z score. Pediatricians and parents should discourage SSB consumption to help avoid potential unhealthy weight gain in young children. From a public health standpoint, strong consideration should be made toward policy changes leading to decreases in SSB consumption among children.

Keywords: obesity; preschool; sugar sweetened beverages; weight gain.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Mean BMI z scores by amount of SSB intake at 2, 4, and 5 years old. Data shown are adjusted for race/ethnicity and SES. P values for BMI z score comparisons: *P < .05 for difference in BMI z score for SSB daily amount versus nondrinkers.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Change in BMI z score over time for daily drinkers of SSBs versus infrequent/nondrinkers. A, BMI z scores at age 2 years and 4 years for children drinking ≥1 SSB serving daily (vs <1) at age 2. B, BMI z scores at 4 years and 5 years for children drinking ≥1 SSB serving daily (vs <1) at 4 years. All values adjusted for race/ethnicity and SES. # P < .05 for longitudinal change in BMI z score for daily SSB drinkers versus nondrinkers; *P < .05 for cross-sectional BMI z score for daily SSB drinkers versus infrequent/nondrinkers.
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