The data backs the message. Sugar-sweetened beverages contribute calories and added sugars to the diets of U.S. children.
Studies have suggested a link between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and dental caries, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend reducing added sugars consumption to less than 10% of calories per day and, specifically, to choose beverages with no added sugars.
Data from the National Healthy and Nutrition Examination Survey shows the following:
- Almost two-thirds of U.S. youth consume at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day.
- Calories from sugar-sweetened beverages increased with age for both boys and girls.
- Boys consumed an average 164 kilocalories (kcal) from sugar-sweetened beverages, which contributed 7.3% of total daily caloric intake. Girls consumed an average 121 kcal from sugar-sweetened beverages, which contributed 7.2% of total daily caloric intake.
Learn more at www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db271.htm.
