Beverage Intake among School Age Children in Cairo: Effect on BMI

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the consumption of sweetened beverages intake among school age children and to evaluate the relation between heavy beverages consumption and the body mass index. This study was conducted in 2 phases; Phase I was a cross - sectional study that included 627 school children with age range of 6-12 years who were recruited from those attending primary schools of Abbasia, Nasr City and Heliopolis. Each enrolled case was asked to fill a questionnaire that assesses frequency, duration and amount of daily intake of beverages as well as weight, height and body mass index assessment. Phase II was a case control study in which 50 children were randomly selected from heavy beverages consumers in phase I and a group of 25 age and sex matched clinically healthy children who were not heavy sweetened beverages consumers will serve as controls. Each enrolled case was subjected to detailed history taking, assessment of beverages consumption, general examination and anthropometric measurements The results of the present study revealed that: - Among all studied children and adolescents, 62.84% were males and 37.16% were females. - The consumption of different drinks among the studied children and adolescents were 65.23% for sweety beverages, 48.64% for cola (10.04% were heavy consumers), 24.41% for non cola soda (4.47% were heavy consumer), 10.5% for coffee and 67.52% for milk. - The consumption of different drinks among the studied male children and adolescents were 64.97%for sweety beverages, 49.75% for cola (11.42% were heavy consumers), 24.87% for non cola soda (5.58% were heavy consumer), 12.69%for coffee and 67.51%for milk. - The consumption of different drinks among the studied female children and adolescents were 65.67%for sweety beverages, 46.78% for cola (7.73% were heavy consumers), 23.61% for non cola soda (3% were heavy consumer), 6.87%for coffee and 67.51%for milk. - The bone aches, fractures, hyperactivity and tooth decay were present in 9.73%, 14.51%, 16.27% and 51.2% respectively of studied children and adolescents, in 10.15%, 14.21%, 15.99% and 48.73% respectively of all studied male children and adolescents and in 9.01%, 15.02%, 16.74% and 55.36% respectively of studied female children and adolescents. - The underweight, overweight and obesity were present in 36%, 13.3% and 8% respectively of all studied children and adolescents, in 40.36%, 11.17% and 7.36% respectively of studied male children and adolescents and in 28.75%, 16.77% and 9.01% respectively of studied female children and adolescents. - The age and height have comparable results in cases and controls. Meanwhile, weight and BMI were significantly higher in cases than controls. - There is a highly significant increase in number of sweet beverages intake/day, percentage of soda intake and duration of beverages intake in cases compared to controls. - The amount of cola, other types of soda, sweety beverages and coffee are significantly higher among cases than controls. - There are no significant differences between cases and controls as regards the percentage frequencies of sex and social standard. - There are no significant differences between cases and controls as regards the percentage frequencies of change of appetite, presence of hyperactivity, tooth decay and bone aches and fractures. - There was no significant differences between cases with positive and negative bone aches as regard the amount of sweety beverages, coffee and milk intake. However, the amounts of cola and Non cola soda intake were significantly higher among patients having positive bone aches. - There were no significant differences between cases with positive and negative bone fractures as regard the amount of Non cola soda, sweety beverages, and coffee and milk intake. However, the amount of cola intake was significantly higher among patients having frequent bone fractures. - There were no significant differences between cases with positive and negative hyperactivity as regard the amount of cola, Non cola soda, sweety beverages, and milk intake. However, the amount of coffee intake was significantly higher among patients having hyperactivity. - There were no significant differences between cases with positive and negative tooth decay as regard the amount of Non cola soda, sweety beverages, and coffee milk intake. However, the amount of cola intake was significantly higher, while milk intake was significantly lower among patients having tooth decay. - There were significant positive correlations between the BMI and the amount of intake of cola, non cola soda and sweety beverages.