Sugar-sweetened Beverages and Risk of Obesity and its Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Iranian Adults

Obesity as major global pandemic is associated with increased risk of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and weight، waist circumference، triglycerides، HDL cholesterol and blood pressure status in Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 5852 men and women، aged 19-70 years، who participated in the fourth phase (2009-2011) of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Demographics، anthropometrics، biochemical measurements including triglycerides، HDL and blood pressure were assessed. Intakes of SSBs including carbonated drinks and synthetic fruit juices were measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Mean dietary intake of SSBs was 48. 9±77. 8 g/d. After adjustment for all potential confounding variables، significant associations were observed between SSB consumption and BMI، waist circumference، triglycerides، HDL and blood pressure in the fourth quartile. Participants in the highest، compared to the lowest quartile category of SSBs had 25%، 37%، 22% and 32% higher risk of general obesity (OR: 1. 25، 95% CI: 1. 02-1. 50)، abdominal obesity (OR: 1. 37، 95% CI: 1. 15-1. 64)، low HDL cholesterol (OR: 1. 22، 95% CI: 1. 04-1. 44) and hypertension (OR: 1. 32، 95% CI: 1. 08-1. 61)، respectively. Higher intakes of SSBs were found to be associated with a higher risk of general obesity and its related cardiovascular risk factors in Iranian adults.