• Manolis Linardakis, Katerina Sarri, Maria-Styliani Pateraki, Manolis Sbokos, and Anthony Kafatos.
• Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece. linman@med.uoc.gr
• Bmc Public Health. 2008 Jan 1; 8: 279.

ObjectiveTo assess the intake of sugar-added beverages such as soft drinks and commercially available fruit juices in kindergarten children, and to examine its association with obesity indices, physical activity levels and dietary habits.MethodsA total of 856 children aged 4-7 years living in Crete, Greece in 2004-5 were included in this cross-sectional study. Nutrient and food intake was assessed with the use of 3-day weighed food records. Body measurements were used in order to assess BMI and waist circumference, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was calculated with the use of a questionnaire.ResultsApproximately 59.8% of all children consumed sugar-added beverages on a daily basis. High intake of sugar-added beverages (> 250 g/day) was associated with low intakes of calcium (p < 0.001), vitamin A and E (p < 0.010), fruits and vegetables (p = 0.007), and milk and yogurt (p = 0.048). Compared to non or low consumers, high consumers of sugar-added beverages (> 250 g/day) had higher BMI levels and two times greater risk of being overweight and/or obese (OR:2.35, p = 0.023).ConclusionHigh intake of sugar-added beverages in kindergarten children is associated with poor eating habits and inadequate nutrient intake, as well as increased risk for developing childhood obesity.

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