A commentary in the The Journal of Pediatrics (May), reviewed previous research concerning the role of soft drinks in childhood obesity. They found, perhaps not unsurprisingly, that there was a strong correlation between soft drink consumption and the risk of childhood obesity.
Dr. Murray concluded that "the typical teen consumes approximately two-12 ounce cans of soft drinks per day, containing 300 calories and 20 teaspoons of sugar."
Hence, although current guidelines recommend a limit of 10 per cent of daily calories from added sugars, they actually account for 18-20 per cent of children's daily calories, with soft drinks and sweetened fruit drinks accounting for over 40 per cent of these total added sugars.
Dr Murray recommended that schools concentrate on providing lower calorie beverage choices in their vending machines such as water, and 100 percent vegetable juices.
"Altering the energy (calorie) gap by 100 calories a day - which, ironically, is the equivalent of one 8-oz. serving of a sweetened soft drink -would prevent excessive weight gain in most Americans," he said.
This weight gain needs to be stopped as scientists have estimated that 25 percent of obese children show signs of glucose intolerance and "a child who is diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus at age 10 years may lose between 17 and 26 life-years to the disease."
Courtesy of nutraingredients.com
No comments:
Post a Comment