From Your Health Journal…..”A great and informative article recently out of Australia from the News Mail about children and sugary drinks. We have reported here many times about children consuming too many calories from liquids. Some reports stated that 1 in 4 calories kids consume is from liquids. Here is a snapshot of an MSNBC report (click here) stating the 22% of a child’s diet is from liquid. The key here is moderation. Having a sugary drink once in a while is not bad, but water is a better choice at times for many children. With obesity rising in children, small changes are needed, and cutting back on the liquids is a great first step. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (including soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drink, cordial and sports drinks) is associated with health issues which include weight gain and obesity, which can lead to some cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart problems. Please read this important article (link provided below) to learn more.”
From the article…..
A report reveals children aged five to 17 are consuming far too much sugar through sweet drinks such as soft drink, sweetened juice and sports drinks.
Childhood sugar consumption has hit an alarming high, with one in six Queensland kids drinking at least one sugar-sweetened beverage every day.
The 2012 Queensland Chief Health Officer’s Report revealed 16 per cent of children aged five to 17 years consumed non-diet soft drink and non-diet flavoured drinks daily.
The prevalence of daily non-diet soft drink consumption also increased with age.
Cancer Council Queensland, Diabetes Queensland and the Heart Foundation have recommended Queensland adults and children limit their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and instead drink water or unflavoured low-fat milk.
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (including soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drink, cordial and sports drinks) is associated with serious health issues including weight gain and obesity, which can lead to some cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart problems.
Cancer Council Queensland spokeswoman Katie Clift said one can of soft drink contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar – far more than most Queenslanders would believe.
“Targeted marketing has misled Queenslanders to believe soft drinks and energy drinks are an acceptable addition to a daily diet – they aren’t,” Ms Clift said.
“Consuming one can of soft drink every day, on top of your usual diet, could lead to an extra 6.75kg weight gain in just one year.
“While obesity is caused by a complex range of factors, we know that eating a healthy diet – limiting sugary, fatty and salty food and drinks – and being physically active are both important aspects of maintaining a healthy weight.”
To read the complete article…..Click here