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North American children consume an extraordinary amount of sweetened drinks - sodas, juice drinks, and "ades." Health care providers, educators, and parents have long been concerned about the effects sweetened drink consumption (SDC) has on the bodies and minds of children. This review of the literature will examine the current evidence regarding the factors contributing to excess SDC, and the health consequences of SDC consumption in children, especially infants and children under 6 years of age, with the goal of informing clinical pediatric nursing, future research, and policy development aimed at reversing the long-standing trend of rising SDC.
Sweetened drink consumption (SDC) in children can lead to excess intake of sugar, contributing to overweight and obesity (Ludwig, Peterson, & Gortmaker, 2001), the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Schulze et al., 2004), lower nutrient intake, especially of calcium (Mrdjenovic & Levitsky, 2003), lower bone density (Soroko, Holbrook, Edelstein, & Barrett- Connor, 1994), dental caries development (May & Waterhouse, 2003; Zero, Fontana, & Lennon, 2001), and sugar and/or caffeine in sweetened drinks may also contribute to behavioral issues (Hughes & Hale, 1998; Wolraich, Wilson, & White, 1995). Taste preferences and eating and drinking habits are formed early in life (Cowart, 1981); a child raised from infancy on sweetened drinks is more likely to continue to consume these beverages and experience the long-term consequences of SDC (Liem & Mennella, 2002). Therefore, pediatric nurses must teach parents with young children about the potential effects of SDC, and help families establish healthy nutritional patterns.
According to the American Beverage Association, 28% of Americans' fluid intake is in the form of carbonated beverages (2005b). In the period between 1977 and 1996, the average United States (U.S.) soft drink serving size increased from 13.1 oz to 19.9 oz (Popkin & Nielsen, 2003). As of 1996, boys from 12-19 years old drank an average of 19 oz of soft drink per day; girls of the same age drank an average of 12 oz (Jacobson, 1998). Consumption of noncarbonated sweetened drinks (sugar-added fruit and fruitflavored drinks, flavored milks, and sweetened waters) has also increased over the past 30 years (Popkin & Nielsen, 2003; Rampersaud, Bailey, & Kauwell, 2003).
This paper will review the current available evidence regarding the health consequences of SDC...