ArticleBMC public health2026
Association between sugar-sweetened beverages consumption, grip strength, and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional study of Chinese adolescents.
Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundSugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among adolescents worldwide continues to rise, physical fitness metrics such as grip strength are declining, the prevalence of psychological symptoms has risen, and this has become a major public health issue. However, the independent and combined associations of SSB and grip strength with psychological symptoms remain unexplored in large adolescent samples. This study aims to examine these associations in Chinese adolescents.
methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2025. A total of 52,035 adolescents aged 12-17 were recruited from 27 provincial-level administrative regions in China. SSB consumption was self-reported. Grip strength was categorized into low, medium, and high by sex and age tertiles. The Multidimensional Subhealth Questionnaire for Adolescents (MSQA) was used to assess psychological symptoms. The associations among these three variables were assessed using t-tests, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and ordered logistic regression.
resultsThe prevalence of psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents was 20.8%. The prevalence for emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adjustment difficulties were 27.4%, 26.6%, and 17.6%. Mean grip strength was 30.0 ± 9.9 kg, with boys 35.0 kg and girls 25.0 kg; 83.4% consumed SSB < 1 time/week. After adjusting for covariates, compared with adolescents with high grip strength and who consumed SSB < 1 time/week, adolescents with low grip strength and who consumed SSB > 4 times/week have a 2.20-fold higher risk of psychological symptoms (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.57-3.08, P < 0.001).
conclusionHigher SSB consumption was associated with greater psychological symptoms in adolescents. While grip strength showed no independent link, its combination with high SSB consumption significantly increased the risk, especially in males. These findings support integrated school-based interventions targeting both diet and muscle strength to promote adolescent mental health.
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