Sodas Raises Obesity
Risk but not Exclusively Responsible
Jun 01, 2005
According to the researchers, the more soda kids' drink,
the more likely they are to be obese.
However, they advice, soft drinks should not be held
solely responsible for the ongoing childhood obesity
crisis. A lack of physical activity and too much TV
are linked to this overweight condition.
The researchers reviewed articles,
press releases, editorials, and material from the soft
drink industry. It was found that drinking too much
of nutrient-free, high-calorie drinks instead of milk
and juices deprived children of vitamins
and minerals essential for their growth.
Obesity
is now considered as the biggest threat to child health
with almost one-fourth of obese children showing warning
signs for Type II diabetes.
In one 2003 study, experts found that on an average,
teenagers drink two cans of soda every day, the equivalent
of 20 teaspoons of sugar. Soda is also the biggest source
of added sugars, which make up approximately 20 percent
of total daily calories in children - 10 per cent being
the recommended intake.
A check over the intake volumes combined with multiple
small changes across a child's environment -- such as
controlling the TV watch time and inculcating regular
physical exercise
and activity -- emerge responsible for the bringing
about a positive change in the magnitude of this heavy
problem.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com
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