Association Between Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Intake and Myopia: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2008.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) intake and myopia in a large population-based sample.

Methods: A cross-sectional study. Data from the population under 40 years of age were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2001 and 2008. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between SSB intake and myopia, with further exploration through propensity score matching (PSM). The generalized variance inflation factor (GVIF) was calculated to check for multicollinearity. Subgroup analyses examined the relationship between SSBs intake and myopia across demographic groups, while restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis evaluated potential non-linear associations.

Results: Of 11,851 participants under 40 years of age, 3,769 had myopia. The average consumption of SSBs showed no significant difference after PSM (emmetropia group: 623.83 ± 17.99 grams/d; myopia group:605.35 ± 20.01 grams/d;  = 0.43). Multivariable logistics regression analysis showed SSBs intake was not associated with the risk of myopia before and after PSM, and multicollinearity was unlikely among all covariates. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant interactions between SSBs intake and covariates in their relationship with myopia. RCS analyses revealed no significant nonlinear associations between SSBs intake and the risk of myopia after PSM (P for non-linear = 0.2434).

Conclusion: Our study provides initial evidence that SSBs consumption may not be a risk factor for myopia in a large-scale population. Future longitudinal and experimental studies may shed more light on the relationship between dietary factors and myopia, informing public health recommendations and interventions.