Association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength: results from a sample of Chinese adolescents

BACKGROUND: Although sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has become an important and widespread concern, there are few studies on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength in Chinese adolescents. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: A stratified whole-group sampling method was used to survey 25,893 adolescents aged 13–15 years old in China for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength for grip strength and standing long jump. The subjects’ basic information, body mass index (BMI), and covariates were investigated. The association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency and muscle strength was analyzed by multivariate logisitc regression analysis. RESULTS: The proportions of Chinese adolescents who consumed sugar-sweetened beverage ≥ 3 times/week, 1–2 times/week, and < 1 time/week were 12.23%, 52.79%, and 34.98%, respectively. The differences in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption frequency were statistically significant when compared across gender, parental education, duration of physical activity, snacks, and mode of commuting to school (χ(2) values = 228.570, 51.422, 275.552, 3165.656, 10.988, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that overall Chinese adolescents with sugary drinks 1–2 times/week (OR = 1.207, 95% CI:1.132–1.287) and sugary drinks ≥ 3 times/week (OR = 1.771, 95% CI:1.611–1.947) were associated with lower muscle strength compared to sugary drinks < 1 time/week showed a positive association (P < 0.01). The same trend was found for boys and girls. CONCLUSION: Chinese adolescents’ sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is common, and high-frequency sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with lower muscle strength. In the future, we should control the use of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase muscular strength training in Chinese adolescents to promote healthy growth.