High Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Is Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density in Young People: The Brazilian Birth Cohort Consortium

Abstract

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption may be associated with a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the consumption of SSB and BMD among young people. We performed a cross-sectional study that evaluated 6620 young people (18–23 years of age) from three Brazilian birth cohorts (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas, and São Luís). We analyzed the daily frequency and the amount and energy contribution of the SSB, which were obtained through a food frequency questionnaire. Total body and lumbar spine BMD (g/cm2), measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, were the outcomes. Unadjusted linear regression models, adjusted for sex, socioeconomic class, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index were used. The highest tertile of SSB consumption frequency (2.1–16.7 times/day) was associated with a lower lumbar spine BMD (β = −0.009; 95% CI: −0.017; −0.001; standardized β = −0.03). This association persisted after adjustment for confounders (β = −0.008; 95% CI: −0.016; −0.001; standardized β = −0.03). No association was observed between SSB consumption frequency and total body BMD or between the amount and energy contribution of SSB and total body or lumbar spine BMD. A high frequency of SSB consumption was associated with a low lumbar spine BMD.