Beverage consumption among school-aged children: contribution to daily energy and added sugar intake

Low fluid intake and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are among the risk behaviours in children that promote the development of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the beverage consumption of school-aged children and its contribution to daily energy and added sugars intake. Dietary intake was observed from dietary records, on three non-consecutive days, of 195 primary school children (52% boys; median 8.8 years) from the city of Zagreb. Total fluid intake included fluid from foods and beverages and was compared with Dietary Reference Values for the EU. The average daily fluid intake of children was 1168 mL (859 – 1563), of which 59.6% was from beverages. Only 14.4% of children reached the reference value for total daily fluid intake. Of the beverages, water (34.7%) contributes the most to daily fluid intake, followed by soft drinks (6.3%) and milk (6.1%). Milk and soft drinks contribute the most to the daily energy intake from beverages. Added sugars account for about 7.7% (5.5% – 10.4%) of children’s daily energy intake. Beverage consumption contributes to 26.5% of daily intake of added sugars, mainly soft drinks. In conclusion, children do not consume enough fluids, especially water. Although food is the main source of energy and added sugars in children’s diets, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of soft drinks.