Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks is associated with obesity in children

This study was published in the Lancet 2001 Feb 17;357(9255):505-8

Study title and authors:
Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis.

Ludwig DS, Peterson KE, Gortmaker SL.
Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. david.ludwig@tch.harvard.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11229668?dopt=AbstractPlus

The study examined the relationship between the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and obesity. The study included 548 schoolchildren (average age 11.7 years) who were followed for 19 months.

The study found:
(a) For each additional serving of sugar-sweetened drink consumed, body mass index (BMI) increased by 0.24 kg/m2.
(b) For each additional serving of sugar-sweetened drink consumed, frequency of obesity increased by 60%.

The findings of the study reveal that consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks is associated with obesity in children.

Childhood obesity rates triple as saturated fat consumption declines and grain consumption soars: Can anyone join the dots?

This study was published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood 2000 Jul;83(1):18-24

Study title and authors:
US adolescent food intake trends from 1965 to 1996.
Cavadini C, Siega-Riz AM, Popkin BM.
Nestle Research Center, Nestec Ltd, Lausanne, Switzerland.
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10868993

Chilhood obesity tripled from the 1960's to the 1990's. See figure 1 below.

FIGURE 1. Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents, by age group --- United States, 1963--2008

The figure above shows the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents, by age group, in the United States during 1963-2008. In the United States, childhood obesity affects approximately 12.5 million children and teens (17% of that population). Changes in obesity prevalence from the 1960s show a rapid increase in the 1980s and 1990s, when obesity prevalence among children and teens tripled from nearly 5% to approximately 15%.

The aim of the study was to examine the changing trends in adolescent (11-18 year olds) food consumption in the United States.

The study found from 1965 to 1996 in adolescents:

(a) Actual total amount of food consumption DECREASED.
(b) Fat consumption decreased by 7%.
(c) Saturated fat consumption decreased by 3%.
(d) Carbohydrate consumption increased by 8%.
(e) Grain product consumption rose by 642% in boys.
(f) Grain product consumption rose by 512% in girls.
(g) Soft drinks consumption rose by 164% in boys.
(h) Soft drinks consumption rose by 116% in girls.

To recap: In a 30 year period obesity rates tripled in adolescents. Actual amounts of food consumption decreased, fat and saturated fat consumption decreased, carbohydrate consumption increased and grain consumption massively increased.

What is the official dietary guideline advice from the from the United States Department of Agriculture?

.........that our diets should emphasize grains and be low in saturated fat!!!

Can anyone join the dots?

 

As children eat less saturated fat and cholesterol - their obesity rates have soared

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000 Nov;72(5 Suppl):1343S-1353S

Study title and authors:

Energy and fat intakes of children and adolescents in the united states: data from the national health and nutrition examination surveys.

Troiano RP, Briefel RR, Carroll MD, Bialostosky K.

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7344, USA. troiano@mail.nih.gov

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11063476?dopt=Abstract

This study analysed trends in energy and fat intake and obesity in 2-19 year olds.

Troiano notes that child obesity rates have risen dramatically from 1971 to 1994:
(i) From 1971 to 1994 obesity has risen by 75% in 4-5 year olds.
(ii) From 1971 to 1994 obesity has risen by 200% in 6-11 year old boys.
(iii) From 1971 to 1994 obesity has risen by 175% in 6-11 year old girls.
(iv) From 1971 to 1994 obesity has risen by 111% in 12-17 year old boys.
(v) From 1971 to 1994 obesity has risen by 54% in 12-17 year old girls.

In that same time period total calorie consumption has decreased across a majority of the age groups, and fat and cholesterol consumption has decreased in every age group:
(a) Total calorie intake decreased by 4% in 2-5 year olds.
(b) Total calorie intake decreased by 3.5% in 6-11 year olds.
(c) Total calorie intake increased by 4% in 12-19 year olds.
(d) Total fat consumption decreased by 3.4% in 2-5 year olds.
(e) Total fat consumption decreased by 2.6% in 6-11 year olds.
(f) Total fat consumption decreased by 3.1% in 12-19 year olds.
(g) Saturated fat consumption decreased by 1.3% in 2-5 year olds.
(h) Saturated fat consumption decreased by 1.4% in 6-11 year olds.
(i) Saturated fat consumption decreased by 1.9% in 12-19 year olds.
(j) Cholesterol consumption decreased by 64 mg in 2-5 year olds.
(k) Cholesterol consumption decreased by 51 mg in 6-11 year olds.
(l) Cholesterol consumption decreased by 129 mg in 12-19 year olds.

Other trends noted in the study from 1971 to 1994 include:
(m) An increase in non citrus juice and soft drink consumption.
(n) Soft drink consumption tripled in teenage boys.
(o) A decline in milk consumption.

In this time frame the incidence of diabetes has risen by 105%.

This study shows that over a 23 year period the consumption of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol declined in children aged 2-19. This has coincided with a dramatic increase in the consumption of soft drinks and incidence of obesity and diabetes.