Sugar Intake For Children Should Not Be More Than Prescribed Levels

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Sugar intake for children may look like it is becoming a tolerable yet health-impacting pastime and is making authorities and health experts worried about the health implications that it will have on today’s younger generations.

Sugar intake for children is dangerously rising

The American Health Association recommends that children from two to 18 years old should consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugars everyday, however, with the number vast varieties of processed foods and beverages containing added sugar, this may seem like an understatement.

The guidelines were issued recently by the AHA to help provide guidance on how much added sugars may be tolerated for consumption to prevent health complications associated with sugar consumption.

The recommendation is equivalent to a daily consumption of not more than 100 calories or about 25 grams and should be less than 10 percent of the daily calories for each group. This also falls within the guidelines and recommendations set by the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration.

Children’s eating priorities need to be changed and parental awareness need to be a primary consideration as studies show that the minds of the youth are more influenced to take in more junk food compared to healthy and whole foods.

Advertising influences children’s eating priorities

This also came in the heels of findings of children getting more influenced by media on their eating habits and priorities.

In a study published by the University of Kansas Medical Center, researchers documented that individual differences in brain stimulation among children through media advertising, especially with food products in relation to brands and logos.

Study author Dr. Amanda Bruce, assistant professor of behavioural pediatrics, points out that children are excessively exposed to food advertising- including junk food- and are directly influences their food choices and stimulated brain activity.

This includes the ‘wholesome’ images and youth-inspired enticing commercials that advertise these products. Marketing junk foods in this manner greatly impacts the choices of children and increases the risk of childhood obesity.

“Food commercials may prompt children to consider their liking and wanting of specific food items, irrespective of the lack of any health benefits. This increased emphasis on taste may make it even more difficult for relevant caregivers to encourage healthy food choices. This evidence has implications for policies related to food advertising to children,” says Bruce.

The Center for Disease Control reports that obesity among children has more than doubled and an alarming four-fold increase among adolescents in the past 30 years.

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