Association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and childhood overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study in Beijing, China

Yiran Li¹Lulu Meng²Yan Zhang³Wenjia Li¹Siyu Liang¹Jiarui Zheng⁴Jie Li^1,3Ruoxiang Cao²Jiali Duan^2*Liyu Huang^2*

• ¹Hebei Medical University School of Public Health, Shijiazhuang, China
• ²Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Preventative Medical Research, Beijing, China
• ³Beijing Fengtai District Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
• ⁴School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

Background: The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) has significantly increased and is regarded as a potential cause of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. This study explores the association between SSB consumption and overweight/obesity among primary and secondary school students in Beijing in 2024. Methods: A total of 3402 participants were included in this cross-sectional study conducted from October to November 2024. Binary logistic regression is used to assess the association between SSB consumption and weight/obesity. Results: Approximately 38.5% of the study population were overweight/obese. After adjusting for covariates, SSB consumption was associated with overweight /obesity. Participants with" SSB consumption frequency 7 times/week" had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to participants" SSB consumption frequency < once/week" (OR=1.396, 95%CI=1.093-1.782). Participants with" SSB consumption quantity 500 ml/day" had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to those with " SSB consumption quantity <150 ml/day" (OR=1.316, 95%CI=1.093-1.586). Moreover, when subgroup analyses were conducted, the association between SSB consumption and overweight/obesity was more susceptible among females, younger students, and urban residents. Conclusion: The consumption rate of sugar-sweetened beverages among school-age children in Beijing is high. Student sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Therefore, targeted actions and plans should be taken to reduce the consumption of SSB and control childhood obesity.