Sugar and Childhood Obesity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) have noted that the number of obese children has more than doubled between the years 1990 and 2007 in some regions of the US. 

This trend has been the result of many factors including an increase in consumption of sugary beverages among children. Studies suggest that soda is the third largest beverage among children between the ages of 2 and 18, and soda contains loads of sugar. Children are also more likely to eat foods containing high amounts of sugar, including processed foods, and sugary snacks. 

The NHNES survey noted that just one extra can or glass of soda increases a child’s risk of becoming obese by 60 percent. And, obesity can contribute to later adult risk of many diseases and cancers including those of the esophagus, kidney, endometrium and breast cancer. 

Soda is not the only culprit. Capri Sun, a popular fruit drink for children, has nearly 5 teaspoons of sugar. Other drinks, and juices, also contain loads of sugar, and many children consume several cups each day. This is in addition to the sweets and other food products containing sugar that children eat every day. 

The only solution to curbing childhood obesity is to encourage children to eat a healthy, whole and nutritious diet that contains plenty of fruit, vegetables and lean proteins. Sugar should never be the staple in a child’s diet, but rather something that is an exception to the rule, or a special treat. That is what sugar was originally intended to be. 

Children should also be encouraged to exercise regularly, getting some form of physical activity daily. This activity may be in the form of a formal sport, or simple bicycling or playing outdoors with friends.