Sports drinks are a large and growing segment of the
beverage industry targeting youths. While much research
has been conducted on soda consumption and health
effects in children and adolescents, comparatively little
research has looked at the role of sports drinks in relation
5 Consumption of Sports Drinks by Children and Adolescents | Research Review | June 2012
to excess caloric intake, weight gain, and health effects,
so more research in this area is warranted. Many states
and school districts across the country have restricted
the sale of soda during the school day; however, many
policies allow the sale of sports drinks. Research is needed
to monitor the trends related to these restrictions and
to determine how many calories are being consumed
through sports drinks during the school day. Anecdotal
evidence suggests that some schools and youth sports
teams receive sponsorship from sports drink companies.
Research is needed to document these sponsorships
and to examine the effects of these sponsorships on
consumption of sports drinks and implications for
obesity. Since sports drink marketing often targets youths
from communities of color, research on sponsorship for
youth sports or sales of sports drinks in schools that have
large numbers of racial and ethnic minorities is needed.