The Relationship Between Caloric Beverage Consumption and Body Mass Index in Turkish University Students

Abstract: The goal of this study was to correlate caloric beverage consumption (amount and type) and body mass index (BMI) in Turkish university students. Subjects (600 men and 593 women) were recruited from 3 public and 3 private universities in Ankara, Turkey. In each subject, socio demographic information was reviewed, a 3-day 24-hour dietary record was evaluated, body weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Multi variate regression models were used to determine the independent relationship of caloric beverage consumption with BMI. The younger male subjects drank significantly more total caloric beverages than did the younger female subjects did. Caloric soft drinks were the beverage of choice among subjects, after which fluid milk, fruit drinks, and 100 % fruit juices were preferred. No significant associations were noted between the BMI of the subjects and their intake of caloric beverages. Caloric beverage consumption accounted for 1 % or less of the explained variance in BMI. Key words: Obesity, beverage, soft drinks, young adult