Cohort studycited by the Tayebat archiveabstract only checked A-SOD-04 standard review
Sugary drinks and child obesity
Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis.
Overview
Ludwig DS et al.. Lancet 2001 · PMID 11229668 · DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04041-1
Each extra daily sugary drink was linked with higher BMI and 60% higher odds of obesity.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Is SSB consumption related to obesity in children?
- How was the study done?
Prospective observational study of schoolchildren over 19 months.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
548; Schoolchildren aged ~11.7 y
- What was actually found?
Per additional serving: BMI +0.24 kg/m2 (0.10-0.39); obesity OR 1.60 (1.14-2.24); baseline intake and BMI change +0.18 kg/m2 per daily serving (0.09-0.27).
- How large was the observed effect?
OR 1.60 per serving
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Sugary drinks may contribute to child weight gain.
- What are the study's limitations?
Small sample; Short follow-up; Observational design; residual confounding possible; Self-reported dietary intake
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports C-SOD-02.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Moderate.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Causation.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Ludwig DS, Peterson KE, Gortmaker SL
- Journal
- Lancet
- Year
- 2001
- Identifier
- PMID 11229668 DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04041-1
- Verification
- verified – PubMed E-utilities efetch, 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
No COI statement; NIH/PHS grants
2. Research question
Is SSB consumption related to obesity in children?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Cohort study – Prospective observational study of schoolchildren over 19 months.
- Population
Schoolchildren aged ~11.7 y
- Country
USA (Massachusetts)
- Period
1995-1997
- Sample size
548
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
not stated in abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Baseline and change in SSB consumption
- Comparator
Lower consumption
- Endpoints
BMI, obesity frequency
- Statistical methods
Linear/logistic regression with clustering
5. Actual results
- Results
Per additional serving: BMI +0.24 kg/m2 (0.10-0.39); obesity OR 1.60 (1.14-2.24); baseline intake and BMI change +0.18 kg/m2 per daily serving (0.09-0.27).
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks is associated with obesity in children.
6. Strengths
- Prospective
- Adjusted for confounders
7. Weaknesses
- Small sample
- Short follow-up
- Observational design; residual confounding possible
- Self-reported dietary intake
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- ROBINS-E
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Confounding possible.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Modest effect per serving.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Supports C-SOD-02.
11. Independent contrary findings
None.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Moderate.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Early influential cohort; consistent with later meta-analyses.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | moderate |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
None specific.
15. Linked fact checks
Use by the Tayebat archive
Note: according to the archive, the studies were compiled by the archive operators. Whether Dr. Elawady himself cited this study is not established.
- What the archive says about the study
Listed in the archive bibliography only (no archive interpretation card).
- A. What was actually studied?
SSB and childhood obesity.
- B. What did the authors find?
Each serving associated with higher BMI and obesity odds.
- C. What conclusions do the authors themselves draw?
SSB associated with childhood obesity.
- D. What does the archive derive from it?
Supports the general 'weight gain' statement.
- E. Is this derivation scientifically justified?
Consistent with the abstract.
- Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)
- not applicable