Adiposity and glucose intolerance exacerbate components of metabolic syndrome in children consuming sugar-sweetened beverages: QUALITY cohort study

BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is linked to weight gain and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in children, but whether these associations are modified by excess weight and glucose tolerance status in children is not known. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between SSB intake and MetS components among children above and below the 85th body mass index (BMI) percentile and those with and without impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). MethodsData were from the QUebec Adiposity and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth study (2005-2008). Caucasian children aged 8-10 years (n=632) were recruited from 1040 primary schools in Quebec, Canada. SSB consumption was assessed by three 24-h dietary recalls, body fat mass by dual-energy absorptiometry, physical activity by 7-d accelerometer. Multivariate linear regressions were used, with age, sex, fat mass index and physical activity as covariates, including waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), concentrations of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as outcome variables. ResultsAmong overweight children, a 100-mL higher SSB consumption was associated with a 0.1-unit higher HOMA-IR (P=0.009) and a 1.1-mmHg higher SBP (P=0.001). In children with IGT, a 100-mL higher SSB consumption was associated with a 1.4-mmHg higher SBP and a 4.0-cm higher WC (P<0.001). These associations were not observed among children <85th BMI percentile. ConclusionsOur results suggest that the association between higher SSB consumption and MetS components is more evident in overweight/obese and glucose-intolerant children.