Work

Associations between the trajectories of free sugar intake and cardiometabolic risk markers during childhood: generation XXI birth cohort

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Free sugar (FS) intake is linked to obesity, but most evidence is cross-sectional. Few studies have explored early-life FS intake trajectories with later cardiometabolic risk markers (CRM). AIM: To estimate associations between the trajectories of FS intake and CRM during childhood using a longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis and two dietary assessment methods. METHODOLOGY: Participants are from the G21 cohort evaluated at 4, 7, 10, and 13y. Dietary intake was assessed through food diaries and food frequency questionnaries (FFQ). FS was measured using a 10-step adapted methodology based on the WHO definition. CRM analyzed included BMI, waist circumference (WC), HOMA-IR, HDL, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure. Linear mixed-effect models were used to estimate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between FS trajectories, and CRM. Two regression models were considered: model 1 (crude) and model 2 (adjusted for parity, mothers’ education, mothers’ weight pre-pregnancy, breastfeeding, physical activity, weight for gestational age, and energy intake). RESULTS: Considering data from food diaries and after adjustment, the longitudinal analysis presented positive significant associations between FS intake(/10 g) and CRM, particularly within adiposity variables: BMI (β = 0.044, 95%CI = 0.000;0.088), WC (β = 0.240 95%CI = 0.093;0.386) and HOMA (β = 0.015, 95%CI = 0.003;0.028). In contrast, cross-sectional analyses showed negative associations for the same variables. When using data from FFQ similar results were observed as in diaries. A sensitivity analysis only in plausible reporters supported the previous results in both epidemiological approaches. CONCLUSION: This study supports the adverse effects of FS on CRM during childhood, independently of the dietary assessment method. Longitudinal approaches are relevant to obtaining accurate associations.

Source: European Journal of Nutrition

DOI: 10.1007/s00394-025-03688-9

Authors: Sofia Sosa, Milton Severo, Catarina Campos Silva, Carla Lopes

Institutions: Universidade do Porto, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Albel Salazar

Language: English

Topic: Diet, Metabolism, and Disease

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,890