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. 2014 May 7;9(5):e95309.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095309. eCollection 2014.

Sugar sweetened beverages and weight gain over 4 years in a Thai national cohort--a prospective analysis

Lynette Lim  1 , Cathy Banwell  1 , Chris Bain  2 , Emily Banks  1 , Sam-Ang Seubsman  3 , Matthew Kelly  1 , Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan  1 , Adrian Sleigh  1
Affiliations

Sugar sweetened beverages and weight gain over 4 years in a Thai national cohort--a prospective analysis

Lynette Lim et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are implicated in the rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases worldwide. However, little is known about their contribution to weight gain in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate weight change associated with SSB consumption between 2005 and 2009 in a large national cohort of Thai university students.

Methods: Questionnaire data were collected from a large Thai cohort (the Thai Health-Risk Transition: a National Cohort Study). The analysis was based on responses from 59 283 of the 60 569 (98%) cohort members who had valid SSB consumption and weight variables in 2005 and 2009. The relationship between SSB consumption in 2005 and self-reported weight change was analysed using multiple linear regression models controlled for socio-demographic, activity and (non-validated) dietary factors shown to influence weight.

Results: Higher frequency of SSB consumption in 2005 was significantly associated with greater weight gain between 2005 and 2009 in all age groups and in both sexes (p<0.0001); persons who consumed SSBs at least once a day in 2005 gained 0.5 kg more than those who consumed SSBs less than once a month. The estimated weight gain for the average person in the sample was 1.9 kg (95% C I 1.95-1.96). The difference in weight gain between those who increased their consumption frequency (<once a month to > once per day) between 2005 and 2009 compared to those who maintained it was 0.3 kgs, while persons who reduced their consumption frequency (once a day to > once a month) gained 0.2 kgs less than those whose consumption remained unchanged.

Conclusion: SSB consumption is independently associated with weight gain in the Thai population. Research and health promotion in Thailand and other economically transitioning countries should focus on reducing their contribution to population weight gain and to diet-related chronic diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. SSB and age and age-weight distribution in 2005 and 2009.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Estimated weight gain by SSB consumption frequency in 2005 and 2009.
Estimates were derived from a regression model adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, physical activity and energy-dense diet).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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