The Relationship Between Sugar Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Obesity Risk in School Age Children

Abstract

Aim: To determine the relationship between sugar sweetened beverage consumption and obesity risk in school age children (6-10 years). Subjects and Method: Study population consisted of 300 school children aged between 6-10 years. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference), dietary habits, physical activity levels and frequency of consumption of sugary drinks of the children were examined. The amount of sugary drinks consumed by children in a day was calculated using frequency of consumption of sugary drinks. According to the amount consumed in a day: <250 mL 1 serving per day, ≥ 250 mL more than 1 serving, were evaluated following 2 categories. Results: 160 boys (53.3%) and 140 girls (46.7%) whose mean age was 8.3±1.19 years were participated in the study. Children’s mean body mass index (BMI) and waist / height ratio were 16.5±2.79 kg/m2 and 0.48±0.04, respectively. According to children BMI Z score classification; 3.7% of children were very low weight,18.0% of children were low weight, 54.0% of children were normal, 15.3% of children were overweight and 9.0% of children were obese. It was found that all of the children were consuming sugary drinks, 88.7% of children consumed once a day, 11.3% of children consumed more than once a day. No significant difference was found between gender, age group, BMI classification, waist / height ratio and TV viewing time with sweetened beverage consumption classification (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between computer using time and sweetened beverage consumption classification (p<0.05). 13.0% of the overweight children consumed sugary drinks more than 1 servings per day (>250 mL). Conclusion: High BMI is associated with excess consumption of sugar sweetened beverage. Their eating habits for the prevention of overweight and obesity must be controlled. Replacing sugar sweetened beverages with water and other beverages can have long-term beneficial effects on childhood obesity.