Intake of sweetened beverages in North America has risen in past decades. Concurrently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased. To our knowledge, there has been no examination of the relationship between childrens beverage intake and body mass index (BMI) with nationally representative Canadian data. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between beverage patterns and BMI in Canadian children. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 (2004) included: dietary information, collected via 24-hour recall, and demographics, socio-economic status, physical activity, and food security, collected by interview, and measured anthropometrics.<p> In this study, subjects aged 2 to 18 years (n=10,038) were included if they had complete anthropometric, dietary and socio-demographic information. The following groups were created: 2 to 5 years (both sexes), 6 to 11 years female, 6 to 11 years male, 12 to 18 years female, 12 to 18 years male. Beverage data categorized and grouped into four categories: sugar-sweetened, nutrient-based, alcoholic, and non-caloric. Descriptive analysis was completed for intake of beverages, energy, vitamin C, and calcium. Cluster analysis identified beverage patterns by age-sex groups and allowed comparisons across clusters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was completed. Results were weighted and bootstrapped to obtain population-level estimates and account for the complex survey design. Children who drank mostly sweetened beverages consumed 16-18% of total daily energy from such drinks. Across age groups, older boys and girls drank more sweetened beverages than preceding groups (p<0.05). In cluster analyses, five beverage clusters emerged for children 2 to 5 years, six clusters for 6 to 11 years, and four clusters for 12 to 18 years. No significant relationship emerged between beverage pattern and BMI among children 2 to 5 years, girls 6 to 11 years, or youth 12 to 18 years (both sexes). Boys 6 to 11 years whose beverage pattern was characterized by soft drink intake (553 g ± 29) had increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR 2.3, 95% C.I. 1.25-4.15) compared to a moderate beverage pattern. Data for boys aged 6 to 11 years suggest that sweetened beverages may be associated with overweight and obesity.

Intake of sweetened beverages in North America has risen in past decades. Concurrently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased. To our knowledge, there has been no examination of the relationship between childrens beverage intake and body mass index (BMI) with nationally representative Canadian data. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between beverage patterns and BMI in Canadian children. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 (2004) included: dietary information, collected via 24-hour recall, and demographics, socio-economic status, physical activity, and food security, collected by interview, and measured anthropometrics.<p> In this study, subjects aged 2 to 18 years (n=10,038) were included if they had complete anthropometric, dietary and socio-demographic information. The following groups were created: 2 to 5 years (both sexes), 6 to 11 years female, 6 to 11 years male, 12 to 18 years female, 12 to 18 years male. Beverage data categorized and grouped into four categories: sugar-sweetened, nutrient-based, alcoholic, and non-caloric. Descriptive analysis was completed for intake of beverages, energy, vitamin C, and calcium. Cluster analysis identified beverage patterns by age-sex groups and allowed comparisons across clusters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was completed. Results were weighted and bootstrapped to obtain population-level estimates and account for the complex survey design. Children who drank mostly sweetened beverages consumed 16-18% of total daily energy from such drinks. Across age groups, older boys and girls drank more sweetened beverages than preceding groups (p<0.05). In cluster analyses, five beverage clusters emerged for children 2 to 5 years, six clusters for 6 to 11 years, and four clusters for 12 to 18 years. No significant relationship emerged between beverage pattern and BMI among children 2 to 5 years, girls 6 to 11 years, or youth 12 to 18 years (both sexes). Boys 6 to 11 years whose beverage pattern was characterized by soft drink intake (553 g ± 29) had increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR 2.3, 95% C.I. 1.25-4.15) compared to a moderate beverage pattern. Data for boys aged 6 to 11 years suggest that sweetened beverages may be associated with overweight and obesity.

Pulses are nutrient dense foods that possess many beneficial effects. The purpose of this project was to examine the prevalence and effect of pulse consumption on nutrient intake in Canadian adults (≥ 19 y). Analysis was performed on data (N = 20,156) from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 2.2). Respondents were divided into groups based on pulse consumption and levels of intake and the association between nutrient intakes and pulse consumption was examined. Analysis revealed that thirteen percent of Canadians consumed pulses on any given day, and individuals with higher pulse intakes had higher intakes of macronutrients as well as enhanced micronutrient intake. Although pulses are generally low in sodium, its intake also was higher in pulse consumers. These data indicate that pulse consumption supports dietary advice that pulses be included in healthful diets. Further studies will be necessary so that dietary advice to increase consumption of pulses will maximize their nutritional benefits.

Pulses are nutrient dense foods that possess many beneficial effects. The purpose of this project was to examine the prevalence and effect of pulse consumption on nutrient intake in Canadian adults (≥ 19 y). Analysis was performed on data (N = 20,156) from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 2.2). Respondents were divided into groups based on pulse consumption and levels of intake and the association between nutrient intakes and pulse consumption was examined. Analysis revealed that thirteen percent of Canadians consumed pulses on any given day, and individuals with higher pulse intakes had higher intakes of macronutrients as well as enhanced micronutrient intake. Although pulses are generally low in sodium, its intake also was higher in pulse consumers. These data indicate that pulse consumption supports dietary advice that pulses be included in healthful diets. Further studies will be necessary so that dietary advice to increase consumption of pulses will maximize their nutritional benefits.