Trends in soft drink and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among South Australians, focusing on distribution of intake by subpopulation

Sugar-sweetened beverage intakes among adults between 1990 and 2018 in 185 countries

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are associated with cardiometabolic diseases and social inequities. For most nations, recent estimates and trends of intake are not available; nor variation by education or urbanicity. We investigated SSB intakes among adults between 1990 and 2018 in 185 countries, stratified subnationally by age, sex, education, and rural/urban residence, using data from the Global Dietary Database. In 2018, mean global SSB intake was 2.7 (8 oz = 248 grams) servings/week (95% UI 2.5-2.9) (range: 0.7 (0.5-1.1) in South Asia to 7.8 (7.1-8.6) in Latin America/Caribbean). Intakes were higher in male vs. female, younger vs. older, more vs. less educated, and urban vs. rural adults. Variations by education and urbanicity were largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 1990 and 2018, SSB intakes increased by +0.37 (+0.29, +0.47), with the largest increase in Sub-Saharan Africa. These findings inform intervention, surveillance, and policy actions worldwide, highlighting the growing problem of SSBs for public health in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Association between maternal sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and the social-emotional development of child before 1 year old: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has become an international public health issue. Adverse effects of sugary beverage consumption on both mother and child during pregnancy continue to be found. However, evidence regarding maternal SSB consumption and social-emotional development of children is lacking.

METHODS

Based on the Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study (loss rate: 10.97%), we included 985 mother-infant pairs from 2018 to 2022. All mothers had a singleton live birth without hypertension, diabetes, tumor, or serious immune system disease before pregnancy. We used a chart of frequency distribution to show maternal SSB consumption, including non-diet soda, tea drinks (not 100% tea), fruit drinks, Sugar-sweetened coffee, bubble tea, or cocoa drinks, and total SSBs. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of the potential delay on social-emotional development of each child was monitored at both 6 months and 12 months of age based on maternal SSB consumption.

RESULTS

Among the mothers, 728 (73.91%) drank SSBs <1 time per week, 194 (19.70%) drank SSBs 1-2 times per week, 43 (4.37%) drank SSBs 3-4 times per week, and 20 (2.03%) drank SSBs 5 or more times per week. Children aged 12 months with mothers who drank SSBs five or more times per week during pregnancy had an increased risk of potential delay on social-emotional development compared to those with mothers who drank SSBs less than once per week [odds ratio: 3.08 (1.13-8.39)]. Regarding the specific kinds of SSBs, we found that tea drinks (not 100% tea) were positively associated with potential delay on social-emotional development in children aged 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Nearly three-quarters of mothers consumed almost no SSBs during pregnancy. High SSB intake during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of the potential delay on social-emotional development of a child at 6 and 12 months of age.

Community support for policy interventions targeting unhealthy food environments in public institutions

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Understanding community support for obesity prevention policy is important for developing effective preventive health action. This study assessed support for a range of obesity prevention interventions, including food environment policies designed to improve healthy food and drink availability and promotion within public institutions.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 2,006 NSW adults. Questions explored attitudes and beliefs about obesity, the importance of government-led prevention and support for eight obesity prevention interventions. Regression analyses examined associations between intervention support and sociodemographic, attitudinal, and behavioral characteristics.

RESULTS

Most respondents (80%) believed obesity was a large problem and that poor individual choices (86%) and the widespread availability of unhealthy food and drink (78%) contributed to the issue. There was moderate to high support for most (n=7) initiatives. Support for food environment policies was highest for schools (76-82%) and hospitals (67-79%). Supporters and opponents rationalised opinions based on perceived effectiveness, the government's role and cost benefits. Opponents were a minority, but principles of autonomy were predominant. Attributing obesity to environment-related factors, and personal lower SSB consumption strongly predicted support.

CONCLUSION

There is significant recognition of the obesity issue and strong support for policies designed to improve the availability and promotion of healthy food and drink in public institutions, particularly in schools and hospitals. SO WHAT?: Substantial community support for healthy food environment policies in schools and hospitals warrants continued implementation in NSW. This may foster further acceptance for wider implementation. Our findings could inform the framing of policy advocacy messages.

Interventions to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption using a nudge approach in Victorian community sports settings

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of interventions using a nudge approach to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage purchases in community sports settings.

METHODS

A total of 155 community sporting organisations participating in VicHealth funded programs were invited to nominate a nudge based on a traffic light approach to drinks classification. These included limit red drinks, red drinks off display, water the cheapest option, and meal deals. Sales data was collected for a predetermined period prior to and following the introduction of the nudge. Nudges were classified initially on whether they were implemented to VicHealth standards. Appropriately implemented nudges were classified as successful if they achieved a relative decrease in sales from drinks classified as red.

RESULTS

In all, 148 organisations trialled 195 nudges; 15 (7.7%) were successful and 20 (10.3%) were appropriately implemented but unsuccessful. Limit red drinks was the most frequently attempted nudge (30.8%). Red drinks off display had the greatest rate of success (20.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Red drinks off display was the simplest and most successful nudge. Implications for public health: Guidelines limiting the display of sugar-sweetened beverages may be an effective means of altering consumer behaviour.

Sugar- and Artificially Sweetened Beverages Consumption Linked to Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Although studies have examined the association between habitual consumption of sugar- (SSBs) and artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) and health outcomes, the results are inconclusive. Here, we conducted a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies in order to summarize the relationship between SSBs and ASBs consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and all-cause mortality. All relevant articles were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, and Ovid databases until 20 June 2020. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for analysis. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using random effects or fixed-effects model for highest versus lowest intake categories, as well as for linear and non-linear relationships. With each additional SSB and ASB serving per day, the risk increased by 27% (RR: 1.27, 95%CI: 1.15–1.41, I² = 80.8%) and 13% (95%CI: 1.03–1.25, I² = 78.7%) for T2D, 9% (RR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.07–1.12, I² = 42.7%) and 8% (RR: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.04–1.11, I² = 45.5%) for CVDs, and 10% (RR: 1.10, 95%CI: 0.97–1.26, I² = 86.3%) and 7% (RR: 1.07, 95%CI: 0.91–1.25, I² = 76.9%) for all-cause mortality. Linear relationships were found for SSBs with T2D and CVDs. Non-linear relationships were found for ASBs with T2D, CVDs, and all-cause mortality and for SSBs with all-cause mortality. The findings from the current meta-analysis indicate that increased consumption of SSBs and ASBs is associated with the risk of T2D, CVDs, and all-cause mortality.