Over the past three decades, U.S. children and
adolescents have significantly increased their
consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).
The
per-capita caloric contribution of SSBs to children’s and
adolescents’ diets increased from 204 calories per day
in 1988–1994 to 224 calories per day in 1999–2004.
Adolescents now obtain 10 percent to 15 percent of
their caloric intake from SSBs.
Consumption of SSBs
is associated with excess weight gain, poor nutrition,
displacement of healthful beverages, and a higher risk for
obesity and diabetes.