Total sugar consumption and its association with obesity in Chilean adults

Abstract

Background: Sugar intake is a risk factor for the development of obesity. Aim: To investigate the association between total sugar intake and obesity markers in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 396 participants of the GENADIO study. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio, and % body fat) were measured through standardized protocols. Total sugar intake was determined from a 7-days weighted food daily. Sugar intake expressed in g/day was categorized into quartiles. Results: Higher sugar intake was associated with a higher BMI, WC and HC but not with body fat %. One quartile increment in sugar intake was associated with 1.50 kg [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49; 2.50] higher body weight, 0.34 kg/m2 [95% CI: 0.01; 0.69] higher BMI, 1.23 cm [95% CI: 0.11; 2.34] higher WC, 1.39 cm [95% CI: 0.28; 2.50] higher HC and 0.02 the waist-to-hip ratio [95% C: 0.01; 0.02]. Conclusions: Total sugar intake was associated with higher adiposity levels in these Chilean adults.