Factors associated with the consumption of soft drinks among Brazilian preschool children: national survey of 2006/Fatores associados ao consumo de bebidas acucaradas entre pre-escolares brasileiros: inquerito nacional de 2006

The rising consumption of sweetened beverages such as soft drinks or artificial juices is associated with the prevalence of obesity in Brazil and around the world. This study seeks to verify the frequency of consumption of these beverages among Brazilian children aged 24-59 months and to investigate the association of soft drinks with demographic, socioeconomic and nutritional variables. Using data from the National Survey on Demography and Health of Women and Children--2006, the eating habits were obtained using the food and drink frequency questionnaire for the seven days preceding the interview, and anthropometry recorded the weight and height of children. Among preschoolers, 37.3% consumed soft drinks and artificial juices 4 or more days per week. The factors significantly associated with frequent consumption of soft drinks were living in regions of higher economic development of the country, in urban areas, belonging to the higher income bracket, with mothers watching TV regularly and excess weight of the child, were associated with consumption of soft drinks and artificial juices 4 or more days per week. Further studies are needed to understand the effective contribution of soft drinks on the epidemic of childhood obesity. Key words Soft drinks, Fruit juices, Carbonated soft drinks, Socioeconomic factors, Obesity, Preschool children, Epidemiological surveys O crescente consumo de bebidas acucaradas como os refrigerantes ou sucos artificiais esta associado a prevalencia de obesidade no Brasil e no mundo. Este estudo se propoe a conhecer a frequencia de consumo destas bebidas entre criancas brasileiras de 24 a 59 meses e investigar associacoes com variaveis demograficas, socioeconomicas e nutricionais. Utilizando dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saude da Crianca e da Mulher--2006, o padrao alimentar foi obtido com o questionario de frequencia de alimentos e bebidas nos sete dias anteriores a data da entrevista e a antropometria usou medidas de peso e de estatura das criancas. Entre os pre-escolares, 37,3% consumiram refrigerantes e sucos artificiais 4 dias ou mais por semana. Os fatores que apresentaram associacao estatisticamente significante com consumo frequente de BA foram residir em regioes de maior desenvolvimento economico do pais, em areas urbanas, pertencer ao estrato de maior poder aquisitivo, maes que assistiam TV regularmente e excesso de peso da crianca, estavam associados ao consumo de refrigerantes e sucos artificiais em 4 ou m