[Actual Test] - The link between childhood obesity and sugary drinks

• Over last 30 years, US obesity rates doubled for ages 2 to 5 and tripled for ages 6 to 11.
• 1 and environmental pressures often to blame. Sugary drinks that have no or very small nutritional value are widely available. These drinks include soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit drinks, flavoured teas and coffees, and energy drinks.

Sugary Drink Facts and Statistics

• American consumption of soda doubled over last 25 years.
• The average American drinks 1.6 cans of soda a day (makes 500 annually).
• 2 drink even more soda than the average.
• Soda’s are 13% of teenage calorie intake.
• Soda has taken over from milk as most popular young person’s drink.
• Recent studies prove link between sweet drinks and teenage obesity (some studies have conflicting results).
• Sweet drinks also encourage teeth problems and weak 3

Sugary Drinks and Caffeine

• Sugary drinks can include around 10 grams of caffeine per ounce. The recommended dose for children is well under 100 grams a day. Excess caffeine in children can lead to 4 sleep problems and agitation. It can also lead to high blood pressure and headaches.

Energy Drinks and Alcohol

• Young people can mix alcohol and energy drinks. Leads to more alcohol drunk and very high 5 intake from the energy drinks and alcohol.

Possible Action

• Replace sugary drinks with water or 6
• Monitor children and ask schools to remove 7 selling sugary drinks.
• Observe 8 when dealing with kids - no treats can lead to binge eating/drinking.
• Parental 9 important - children base their actions on their parents’ habits.

Conclusion

• Parents should control their children’s sugary drink intake and without obsession. Children should learn to love water and eat healthily as their future health depends on it. The answer therefore to developing healthy behaviour in children will lie in 10