How Sweet It Is: Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Risk in Childhood

Kavey reviews data for children aged 2 to 18 years from NHANES to determine food sources of total energy in 2005-2006 and energy from solid fats and added sugars in 2003-2004. Information from in-person 24-hour dietary recalls conducted by trained interviewers was used to identify specific foods consumed and these findings were used to estimate energy from solid fats and from added sugars, both sources of energy with virtually no nutritional value, so-called empty calories. The top five energy sources for 2- to 18-year-olds are grain desserts (cookies, cakes, and granola bars), pizza, soda, yeast breads, and chicken. When related specific foods are combined, the results are very concerning, with nearly 40% of total energy consumed by 2- to 18-year-olds in the form of empty calories, far above calculated discretionary allowances, which range from 8% to 20% of total energy.