Abstract:

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sugar and sugary food/beverage consumption on the anthropometric measurement values of pre-school children. Method: The study is a descriptive study conducted on 307 children aged 4-6 years attending pre-school education institutions in Kırıkkale city centre. Children were interviewed with their families and a questionnaire including questions about their demographic characteristics, eating habits, frequency of food consumption and amount of food was applied, and anthropometric measurements were taken. SPSS 22.0 program was used in the statistical analysis of the obtained data. Findings: 51.8% of the children participating in the study were boys and 48.2% were girls. Obesity rate is higher in boys (31.5%) than girls (25.0%). It was observed that children most frequently consumed sugar (20.8%), sweets (25.4%), chocolate (31.9%) and biscuits (28.7%) 3-4 days a week. A low-strength positive correlation was found between the consumption of carbonated beverages and all anthropometric measurements of children (p<0,05). It was determined that there was a low-strong and positive correlation between children's body weight, waist circumference mid-upper arm circumference values and fructose and sucrose intakes (p<0,05); and moderate-low-strong and positive correlation between their BMI and fructose and sucrose intakes (p<0,05). Conclusion: As a result of the study, obesity is high in the pre-school children. It was determined that the consumption of carbonated beverages and the intake of fructose and sucrose were associated with an increase in body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference and BMI.

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