Sugar-sweetened beverage intake and its associations with cardiometabolic risks among adolescents.

BACKGROUND Investigations on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and cardiometabolic risks among Asians are scant. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine associations between SSB intake and cardiometabolic risks among Malaysian adolescents. METHODS Anthropometric data, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles and insulin levels measured involved 873 adolescents (aged 13 years). SSB intake, dietary patterns and physical activity level (PAL) were self-reported. RESULTS Mean SSB consumption was 177.5 mL day-1 with significant differences among ethnicities (Malay, Chinese, Indians and Others) (p < 0.05). SSB intake was deleteriously associated with increased waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, FBG, insulin, insulin resistance and low HDL-cholesterol, independent of PAL, body mass index and dietary patterns. Significant U-shaped and inverse trends were noted between SSB intake and LDL-cholesterol and BP, respectively. CONCLUSION Sugar-sweetened beverage intake was unfavourably associated with cardiometabolic health outcomes among young adolescents. Concerted efforts towards healthy hydration are imperative to mitigate risk of cardiometabolic events.