1. ¹Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
2. ²Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
3. ³Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia

Correspondence: CS Tam, Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. E-mail: CharmaiT@chw.edu.au

Received 30 November 2005; Revised 14 February 2006; Accepted 19 February 2006; Published online 21 March 2006.

Abstract

We studied the relation between soft drink/cordial (a sweet, flavoured, concentrated syrup that is mixed with water to taste), fruit juice/drink and milk consumption in mid-childhood, and body mass index (BMI) status in early adolescence in a contemporary Australian cohort. In 1996/7, 268 children (136 males) were recruited from western Sydney at baseline (means.d.: 7.70.6 years), and at follow-up 5 years later (13.00.2 years). Height and weight were measured at both time periods and overweight and obesity defined using the International Obesity TaskForce criteria. Beverage consumption was calculated from a 3-day food record at baseline. Median carbohydrate intake from soft drink/cordial was 10 g higher (P=0.002) per day in children who were overweight/obese at follow-up compared to those who had an acceptable BMI at both baseline and follow-up. Intakes of soft drink/cordial in mid-childhood, but not fruit juice/fruit drink and milk, were associated with excess weight gain in early adolescence.