Excess Energy Intake
Over time, even modest daily increases in energy and fat, coupled with low levels of physical activity
can contribute to excess weight.
• Overweight adolescents have been noted to consume higher levels of sweetened drinks and whole
and 2% milk, and have lower intakes of water.3
• In a prospective study of young adolescents, the odds of becoming overweight increased 1.6 times
for each additional can or glass of sugar-sweetened beverage consumed on a daily basis.18 Teens
consuming 3 servings of sweetened beverage per day were at 5 times the risk of being overweight
than those consuming no sweetened beverages. Unlike energy consumed from solid foods, energy
from liquids may not be compensated for by a reduction in subsequent energy intake.
• The current marketing trend of larger portion sizes (e.g., super-sized fast food meals, 24 oz soft
drinks, grab bags of chips, king-sized candy bars and over-sized pizzas) has contributed to
excessive caloric sugar and fat intakes in adolescents.
• Although USDA guidelines require that School Lunch and Breakfast Program meals comply with
the Dietary Guidelines, meals served in many schools through school stores, snack bars and
vending machines continue to serve items such as shakes, ice cream, nachos, cookies, candy, soft
drinks, fruit drinks, French fries and chips.
• Approximately 85% of youth have dietary fat intakes that exceed the recommendation of less than
30% of calories from fat