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.

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Friday, November 27, 2009

Studies Suggest Fruit Juice Just as Harmful as Sugary Sodas

Despite its reputation as a health food, fruit juice is full of sugar and children should avoid drinking it, according to several new research studies.

The researchers say that juice has more calories, sugar and salt per ounce than sugared sodas. Fruit juice is also full of fructose sugar, which may increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes.
  • One study done in 1997 found that preschool children who drank at least 12 ounces of juice a day were three times more likely to be overweight or obese.
  • A 2006 study found that each extra glass of juice a day caused the 970 children in the study who were overweight or obese to gain an extra pound each year.
  • However, other studies have found that children who drink juice tend to have healthier diets overall, and tend to eat breakfast. These habits are linked to maintaining a normal weight.
"Both sodas and fruit juices are going to promote equal weight gain," said Kimber Stanhope, a scientist at University of California, Davis.

Dr. Charles Billington, a researcher at the University of Minnesota agrees. "There is no need for any juice at all in the modern diet, he said. It's pretty much the same as sugar water."

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under six years old drink no more than one two-to-four ounce serving of juice a day. Older children should have no more than two such drinks a day.

Labels: nutrition, fruit juice

Posted By: Aspen/CRC

Comments:

Scott on 12/7/2009
There is one huge difference that must be noted about the difference between sodas and Juice. Most children that drink sodas drink and abundance and often don't drink milk. That is a big problem for this reason: The phosphates in carbonated beverages (Sugary or diet) leach calcium from the bones. This combined with the low consumption of dairy products means that the bones will surely suffer. What's worse, those same phosphates also inhabit the body from absorbing calcium. So, as you can see, over indulgence could lead to a host of medical problems on top of being overweight.