Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal → August 2003 → Bone: Miscellaneous Topics → Abstract #150

CARBONATED SOFT DRINK AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN ADOLESCENCE: THE NORTHERN IRELAND YOUNG HEARTS PROJECT

C. P. McGartland, P. J. Robson, L. J. Murray, G. W. Cran, D. Watkins, M. Savage, M. Rooney, C. A. Boreham

¹Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ireland; ²Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, Ireland; ³Rheumatology Department, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ireland; ⁴Department of Child Health, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ireland; ⁵Department of Neonatal Medicine, St Mary's Hospital for Women and Children, Manchester, England, United Kingdom; ⁶Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ireland

Background The adolescent growth period is a critical time for bone development, and it has been suggested that high consumption of carbonated soft drinks (CSD) may reduce bone mineral accrual and increase fracture risk.
Objective The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between carbonated soft drink (CSD) consumption and bone mineral density (BMD) in a representative sample of adolescents.
Design Cross sectional observational study, in 36 post primary schools in Northern Ireland. Participants included 591 boys and 744 girls aged either 12 or 15 years old. BMD was measured by dual energy absorptiometry and usual beverage consumption was assessed by the diet history method.
Results An inverse relationship was demonstrated in girls at the dominant heel ( -0.105; 95% CI -0.178 to -0.032) an inverse relationship was also evident at the forearm in girls but did not reach statistical significance. Non-cola consumption was also inversely associated with dominant heel BMD in girls ( -0.120; 95% CI -0.191 to -0.049). No consistent relationships were observed between CSD intake and BMD in boys and cola consumption was not related to BMD in either sex.
Conclusion CSD consumption appears to be inversely related with BMD at the dominant heel in girls. It is possible that the apparent association results from the displacement of more nutritious beverages from the diet. Although the inverse association we demonstrate between CSD consumption and BMD is modest and confined to girls this finding may have important public health implications given the widespread use and current upward trend in CSD consumption in Western populations.
Keywords: Bone mineral density, carbonated soft drink, adolescence, dietary intake.