Associations between beverage consumption patterns and adiposity and urinary biomarkers among young adults: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Abstract

Background Beverage consumption is a common dietary behavior that may be associated with adiposity and urinary biomarker profiles, yet population-based evidence in young adults remains limited. This study aimed to examine associations between beverage consumption patterns and adiposity indicators and urinary biomarkers among young adults in China. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study included 3,198 university students aged 18–25 years from seven geographic regions in China. Daily fluid intake (DFI) was assessed using a validated 7-day fluid intake diary with calibrated cups. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and urinary biomarkers (creatinine, uric acid, uric acid-to-creatinine ratio, and urea) were obtained. Multivariable regression models adjusted for predefined covariates were used to evaluate associations. Results Plain water contributed the largest proportion of DFI (83.9%), followed by sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), with substantial regional variation in beverage consumption patterns. Higher plain water intake was positively associated with BMI (β = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.10, p = 0.009) and WC (β = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.27, p = 0.022), but inversely associated with urinary creatinine (β = −148.05, 95% CI: −197.52, −98.59, p < 0.001), urinary uric acid (β = −9.90, 95% CI: −17.58, −2.22, p = 0.012), and urinary urea (β = −3.69, 95% CI: −4.74, −2.63, p < 0.001). In contrast, SSB intake was positively associated with WC (β = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.62, 1.38, p < 0.001), urinary uric acid (β = 45.15, 95% CI: 21.40, 68.89, p < 0.001), and urinary uric acid-to-creatinine ratio (p < 0.001). Coffee/tea (β = −1.12, 95% CI: −2.18, −0.06, p = 0.038), 100% fruit juice (β = −0.86, 95% CI: −1.70, −0.02, p = 0.046), and other beverages (β = −1.13, 95% CI: −2.19, −0.07, p = 0.037) were inversely associated with waist circumference. Conclusion Beverage consumption patterns were associated with adiposity indicators and urinary biomarker profiles among Chinese university students, and these associations differed according to beverage type.