Sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages consumption, body weight, and eating disorders symptoms: findings from a Danish cohort from childhood to early adulthood

PURPOSE: This study assessed the associations between the consumption of sugar- (SSBs) and artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) and body weight from childhood through adolescence. Moreover, we examined the relationship between childhood weight status and the joint associations between SSBs and ASBs and weight status on eating disorders (ED) symptoms in early adulthood.

METHODS: This study used the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) at the 11- and 18-year follow-up (DNBC-11 and DNBC-18). At age 11, children reported their consumption of SSBs and ASBs. Body weight was assessed using BMI based on information from DNBC-11 and DNBC-18. ED were derived from self-reported symptoms and national health registers. Multivariable logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS: Children with a higher consumption of SSBs and ASBs at age 11 had higher odds of overweight or obesity at age 11 (OR: 1.43, 95%CI 1.24–1.64) and age 18 (OR: 1.20, 95%CI 1.00–1.43). Children with overweight (OR: 1.36, 95%CI 1.08–1.70) and obesity (OR: 2.08, 95%CI 1.09–3.97) at age 11 had higher odds of ED symptoms at age 18. Children with overweight or obesity who consumed SSBs and ASBs below and above the median at age 11 had higher odds of ED symptoms at age 18 than those with underweight or normal weight and a consumption below the median (OR: 1.41, 95%CI 1.04–1.92 and OR: 1.50, 95%CI 1.12–2.00, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: SSBs and ASBs consumption during childhood was associated with overweight and obesity in the short- and long-term. Childhood overweight or obesity was also related to later ED symptoms.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00394-025-03869-6.