Research has shown that greater consumption of soft drinks and fruit drinks:
* increases the risk for dental decay among children; and
* results in higher energy intake, leading to weight gain and childhood obesity.
Soft drinks containing caffeine have also been linked to:
* increased risk for bone fractures in girls, largely because a reduced intake of calcium-rich milk drinks; and
* disruptions to sleep patterns, resulting in daytime drowsiness.
In a bid to glean up to date information on the types of drinks consumed by children, researchers analysed three-day food diaries kept by 2,371 girls aged between nine and 19 in a long term study.
They found that milk consumption decreased by over 25 per cent during the course of the study while soft drink intake, on average, nearly tripled, becoming the number one beverage consumed by older girls. Further cause for concern was the finding that the girls who consumed the most soft drink tended to be heavier than their peers.
The researchers said the decline in calcium consumption during younger years could place children at greater risk of osteoporosis later in life. They called for public health campaigns, to be led by governments, schools and parents, promoting healthy beverage choices and decreased soft drink consumption in order to help girls avoid calcium deficiencies and weight gain.
The Australian Dental Association has also warned that drinking bottled water, rather than tap water, may also be causing more tooth decay. This is because bottled water, unlike most Australian tap water, does not contain the 'fluoride' which protects teeth against decay.
Reference:
Striegel-Moore RH, Thompson D, Affenito SG, Franko DL, Obarzanek E, Barton BA, Schreiber GB, Daniels SR, Schmidt M, Crawford PB (2006) Correlates of beverage intake in adolescent girls: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Journal of Pediatrics 148: 183-187.
Related reading:
Call To Limit Kids' Caffeine
Soft Drinks, Soft Bones
Soft Drinks & Sugar
Tap Water Best for Teeth
