Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Malik,V.S., Pan,A., Willett,W.C. and Hu,F.B.,.Am J Clin Nutr 10.3945/ajcn.113058362
Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) in children and adults to provide a comprehensive summary of the literature evaluating sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and body weight gain.
Main outcome measures: For prospective cohort studies in children, primary estimate of interest was predicted change in BMI per one 12oz-serving/d increment of SSB during time period of each study. For RCTs in children, primary estimate was mean difference in BMI between intervention and control. For prospective studies in adults, primary estimate of interest was 1-y change in weight (kg) per 1-serving/d increment of SSBs. For RCTs in adults, unit of interest was the mean difference in weight (kg) from baseline to end of follow-up between intervention and control.
Results: 32 articles were included in the meta-analysis: 20 in children (15 prospective cohort and 5 trials); 12 in adults (7 prospective cohort and 5 trials).
In children: the pooled estimate for the change in BMI associated with each 12-oz serving/d increase in SSBs was 0.07 (95%CI 0.01,0.12 random effects model). The analysis of 1-y change in BMI indicated that BMI increased by 0.06 (95%CI 0.02,0.10 random effects model). In RCTs in children, there was no effect on BMI of reducing SSB consumption using a random effects model (WMD -0.17 (95%CI -0.39,0.05), however, it was significant with a fixed effects model (-0.12 (95%CI -0.22,-0.02)).
In adults: each serving per day increase in SSBs was associated with additional weight gain of 0.22 kg over 1 y (95%CI 0.09,0.34) using a random effects model). In trials there was a significant difference in body weight (kg) between intervention (addition of SSB) and control (WMD 0.85 kg (95%CI 0.5,1.2).
Publication bias was only apparent for adult prospective cohort studies.
Conclusions: The evidence included in the review indicates that SSB consumption may promote some weight gain in children and adults.
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