Higher intake of Sugar sweetened beverages linked to shorter sleep duration in both children and adults

Conducting an exhaustive search across reputable databases such as PubMed, ISI Web of Sciences, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, and Google Scholar, researchers synthesized observational studies that examined sleep duration as the exposure and sugar/SSBs intake as the outcome. The methodological rigor of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, with the overall evidence evaluated through the GRADE approach. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were then calculated using both random and fixed effects models.

Key Revelations:

• The systematic review encompassed 22 studies focused on children and 12 on adults. From these, the meta-analysis incorporated data from 10 studies involving children and 3 in the adult population, which provided odds ratios for deeper insights.
• All studies involving children, adopting a cross-sectional design, consistently demonstrated a negative association between sleep duration and sugar intake. Notably, children with short sleep durations exhibited a 16% higher likelihood of consuming sugar, a 21% increased likelihood of soda intake, and a staggering 92% higher odds of consuming energy drinks.
• For adults, a short sleep duration was linked to a 20% higher likelihood of soda consumption and a substantial 58% increased intake of energy drinks. However, these findings were based on a limited number of investigations, highlighting the need for additional research in this area.
• Across all populations studied, individuals with sufficient sleep consistently demonstrated lower SSB intake, emphasizing a robust connection between insufficient sleep and heightened SSBs consumption in both children and adults.

The findings from this meta-analysis underscore a significant correlation between shorter sleep duration and increased SSBs intake in individuals across different age groups. While the link with higher total sugar intake was evident in children, the relationship was not as pronounced in adults. This research, serving as a foundational step, emphasizes the necessity for more precise measurements, gender-specific considerations, and prospective study designs to unravel the causality and underlying mechanisms.