Work

Joint association of physical activity and sugar-sweetened beverages with obesity in young U.S. adults: A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007–2020

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the independent and joint association of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and physical activity with obesity among young U.S. adults. We selected 11,318 U.S. young adults aged 20–44 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2020). Physical activity was self-reported using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, while SSBs consumption was calculated from a single day of twenty-four-hour dietary recall. Multivariable logistic regression models, and sensitivity analyses were used to estimate the associations between SSBs, physical activity, and obesity. There were 4216 cases of obesity (35.5 %). A positive relationship between the consumption of SSBs and the prevalence of obesity was observed, while physical activity was negatively associated with the prevalence of obesity. Relative to the moderate SSBs consumption + inactive participants, those who were insufficiently active [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.75, 95 % CI: 0.58, 0.97] and physically active (AOR = 0.72, 95 % CI: 0.62, 0.85) had a lower likelihood of obesity among moderate SSBs consumers (1–499 kcal/day). However, this pattern was not found in the heavy SSBs consumers (≥ 500 kcal/day) ( P > 0.05). In conclusion, physical activity was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity among moderate SSBs consumers, while this pattern did not observe in heavy SSBs consumers. Further studies are needed to validate these results and determine causality. • Physical activity was inversely associated with obesity in moderate consumers. • This association was not observed in heavy consumers. • Physically active individuals need to limit intake of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103043

Authors: Yuhang Liu, Ying Xu, Zhaohong Sun, Siyao Gao

Institutions: Central China Normal University, Henan University of Science and Technology, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Central South University

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610