Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Kids and Teens Consuming Too Many Caffeinated Drinks

Are teens overly caffeinated? A new study from the Canadian Health System found that the average teen might take in over 245 milligrams of caffeine per day, nearly five times the recommended limit of 50 milligrams. Teens are drinking more "energy drinks" and "designer coffees," along with caffeinated sodas. According to a study at Johns Hopkins, one cup of coffee per day is all it takes to develop a caffeine dependency.

Nutritionists and other health experts worry about the effect of caffeine on developing bodies, especially when caffeinated drinks replace healthier ones like milk or juice. A study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that over 76 percent of children under 5 and 90 percent of children ages 6 to 8 ingest caffeine on a daily basis.

Pediatrician Janis Mendelsohn says no child under 8 years old should have caffeine. "They don't exercise as much, and they are using it as a stimulant," she said.

Labels: nutrition, development, caffeine

Posted By: Aspen Education Group