P-144/690. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and obesity in children's meta-analyses: reaching wrong answers for right questions

Abstract

Background and objectives: Recent studies assert that sugar-containing drinks may play a key role in the etiology of overweight at all ages. However, scientific literature shows contradictory findings. Whether this association is a leading cause or not is a matter of debate. It is also subject to discussion whether the quality/adequacy of studies may influence the outcome. Our aim was to explore the most recent scientific evidence focused on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and child obesity and to further analyze the adequacy of the meta-analyses in terms of their results, with special emphasis in the methodology, clarity and transparence of their procedures. Methods: We selected only meta-analyses of randomized control trial studies on PubMed database and Cochrane Website until January, 2016. Adherence to PRISMA was assessed. Results: Six meta-analyses were included. All of them showed some degree of evidence of heterogeneity in theirs pool estimates. Two of them showed a positive association between SSB and obesity but the other four found no association. The adherence to the PRISMA criteria was higher in two of the meta-analyses that showed opposite conclusions regarding the association or non-association of SSB and obesity in children. Thus, there is no relation between the adherence of the meta-analyses to the PRISMA criteria and the results obtained. Conclusions: The use of meta-analysis as a scientific tool requires further promotion, better refinement and widespread agreement. Available quality-assessment tools have limitations, and many contextual factors beyond the intrinsic characteristics of the reviews may influence their results. Sugary drinks are often blamed as a potential cause of the obesity pandemia, but this possible association requires a broader approach that includes a detailed analysis of the whole diet and lifestyle.