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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In parallel with the obesity epidemic, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) has risen over the same period. Our aim was to investigate associations between the consumption of SSB in childhood and adolescence with subsequent changes in body fatness in early adulthood. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A longitudinal study of 9-year-old children (n=283) enrolled in the Danish part of the European Youth Heart Study with a 6-year and 12-year follow-up. Data were collected at ages 9, 15 and 21 years. Multivariate regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders were used to evaluate the effect of SSB consumption at 9 and 15 years and change in SSB consumption from 9–15 years on subsequent change in body fatness until 21 years. RESULTS: Subjects who consumed more than one serve of SSB daily at age 15 years had larger increases in body mass index (BMI) (β=0.92, P=0.046) and waist circumference (WC) (β=2.69, P=0.04) compared to non-consumers over the subsequent 6 years. In addition, subjects who increased their SSB consumption from age 9–15 years also had larger increases in BMI (β=0.91, P=0.09) and WC (β=2.72, P=0.04) from 15–21 years, compared to those who reported no change in consumption. No significant association was observed from 9–21 years. CONCLUSION: This study provides new evidence that SSB consumption in adolescence and changes in SSB consumption from childhood to adolescence are both significant predictors of change in body fatness later in early adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:Vitamin D levels are often observed to be low in Canadian youth, despite the mandatory fortification of fluid milk. We identified modifiable correlates of plasma vitamin D concentrations to inform public health efforts to remediate low-vitamin D status.Subjects/Methods:We recruited 159 children aged 8-11 years, who were at at high risk of obesity, non-systematically during different seasons. Vitamin D status was assessed by measuring plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) using a radioimmunoassay. Dietary intake, including vitamin supplements, was measured using three dietitian-administered 24 h diet recalls. Fat mass was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Accelerometers were worn for 7 days to estimate physical activity. Independent correlates of plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were identified using multiple regression in an analysis controlling for season of measurement.Results:Approximately, 7% of youth had hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D 37.5 nmol/l) during winter and spring when vitamin D levels are at their nadir. Only 55% of participants had vitamin D levels, which the Institute of Medicine considers optimal (25(OH)D >50 nmol/l). The mean dietary vitamin D intake, 6.6 mcg, was well below current recommendations set at 15 mcg. A serving increase in milk consumption and a s.d. increase in physical activity were associated with only a 2.9 and 2.1 nmol/l increase in plasma 25(OH)D, respectively. There was no association between 25(OH)D and adiposity.Conclusions:Our results indicate the challenges of obtaining adequate vitamin D intake from the current food supply to support a level of 25(OD)D >50 nmol/l. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]