(P13-047-25) Carbon Stable Isotope Ratio Values in Hair Are Associated With Added Sugar Intake in Adults but Not Young Children

Objectives: This study examined associations between carbon stable isotope (δ13C) and nitrogen stable isotope (δ15N) values and dietary intake in young children, as well as their mothers to confirm previously reported diet-δ13C associations in adults.

Methods: Hair samples and 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from children (5.6 ± 0.2 years; n = 138) and adults (34.1 ± 0.7 years; n = 114) of diverse backgrounds who participated in a cross-sectional study in Philadelphia. Hair δ13C and δ15N values were measured by continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Dietary intake was assessed for foods with high δ13C values (e.g., sugar sweetened beverages [SSB]), high δ15N values (e.g., animal protein), or both (e.g., cow’s milk). Associations were analyzed using single- and dual-isotope regression models and a novel, k-means clustering analysis of δ13C and δ15N values.

Results: Among adults, regression models revealed associations of δ13C values with added sugar intake (β (95% CI): single, 0.17 (-0.01, 0.36); dual, 0.31 (0.10, 0.53)) and with SSB intake (single, 0.30 (0.12, 0.48); dual, 0.31 (0.09, 0.53)), confirming prior findings. Adults in the High δ13C-δ15N cluster consumed more SSB (213 ± 23 kcal/d) on a given day than those in the Low cluster (109 ± 20 kcal/d; p = 0.03). In children, no significant associations with added sugar or SSB intake were observed. However, children in the High δ13C-δ15N cluster consumed more cow’s milk (81 ± 9 vs. 31 ± 7 kcal/d; p = 0.009) and animal protein (408 ± 33 vs. 272 ± 36 kcal/d; p = 0.04) than the Low cluster. Children’s cow’s milk intake was significantly associated with both δ13C and δ15N values.

Conclusions: Age-related differences in children’s dietary patterns, especially higher cow’s milk consumption, may obscure associations between δ13C values and added sugar or SSB intake. These findings emphasize the need to consider age and dietary complexity in biomarker research.

Funding Sources: Supported by NIH grants from the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders.