Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114797

Cristina S. Barroso, DrPH¹, Deanna M. Hoelscher, PhD, RD, LD, CNS², Steven H. Kelder, PhD, MPH³, Ralph F. Frankowski, PhD⁴, Jerri Ward, MA, RD, LD⁵, Eun Sul Lee, PhD⁶, R. Sue Day, PhD², and Elizabeth W. Edmundson, PhD⁷. (1) Hispanic Health Research Center, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center School of Public Health, 80 Fort Brown, SPH Bldg, N1.202D, Brownsville Regional Campus, Brownsville, TX 78520, (2) Human Nutrition Center, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, RAS W942, Houston, TX 77030, 713.500.9335, Deanna.M.Hoelscher@uth.tmc.edu, (3) School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2658, Houston, TX 77030, (4) Division of Biostatistics, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030, (5) Human Nutrition Center, Univ. of Texas-Houston School of Public Health, 7320 North Mopac, Suite 204, Austin, TX 78731, (6) School of Public Health, University of Texas, 1200 Herman Pressler, Suite 234, Houston, TX 77030, (7) Kinesiology & Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, One University Station, D3700, Austin, TX 78712

Excess consumption of sweet drinks has been linked with the onset of overweight in children; however, data from other studies are not conclusive. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between sugar sweetened beverages (i.e., punch and soda intake) and child overweight in a multi ethnic probability-based sample in Texas. A questionnaire including demographic and nutrition/physical activity behavioral questions was administered to elementary and secondary-level public school students; heights and weights were measured for calculation of BMI. The population-based sample consisted of 15,173 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students; 46.3% girls; 10.8% African-American, 38.4% Hispanic, and 50.8% White/other. 20.0% of the total population was overweight (BMI ≥ 95th percentile). Multivariate logistic regression evaluated the relationship between sweetened drinks intake and child overweight; covariates were gender, grade, and race. Girls who drank punch the previous day (OR=0.66) were 34% less likely and girls who drank soda the previous day (OR=0.67) were 33% less likely than boys who drank punch and soda to be overweight. Among those who drank punch the previous day, children who self-identified as African-American and Hispanic were significantly more likely to be overweight (OR = 1.62 and 2.34, respectively) than White/other children. Likewise among those who drank soda the previous day, African-Americans (OR = 1.49) and Hispanics (OR = 2.25) were significantly more likely to be overweight compared to White/other students. Overweight African-American and Hispanic children and adolescents may benefit from decreased consumption of both punch and soda.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the session participant will be able to

• Describe the School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) study.
• Identify prevalence patterns of punch and soda intake among overweight Texas school children.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation