Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if the association with adiposity varies by the type (added vs. naturally occurring) and form (liquid vs. solid) of dietary sugars consumed. METHODS: Data from the 10-year National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Growth and Health Study (<i>n</i> = 2,021 girls aged 9-10 years at baseline; <i>n</i> = 5,156 paired observations) were used. Using mixed linear models, 1-year changes in sugar intake, body mass index <i>z</i>-score (BMI<i>z</i>) and waist circumference (WC) were assessed. RESULTS: The results showed mean daily added sugar (AS) intake: 10.3 tsp (41 g) liquid; 11.6 tsp (46 g) solid and naturally occurring sugar intake: 2.6 tsp (10 g) liquid; 2.2 tsp (9 g) solid. Before total energy adjustment, each additional teaspoon of liquid AS was associated with a 0.222-mm increase in WC (<i>p</i> = 0.0003) and a 0.002 increase in BMI<i>z</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.003). Each teaspoon of solid AS was associated with a 0.126-mm increase in WC (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and a 0.001 increase in BMI<i>z</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Adjusting for total energy, this association was maintained only between liquid AS and WC among all and between solid AS and WC among those overweight/obese only. There was no significant association with naturally occurring sugar. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate to suggest a positive association between AS intake (liquid and solid) and BMI that is mediated by total energy intake and an association with WC that is independent of it.