100% Fruit Juice does not affect a child’s weight

Drinking 100% fruit juice has always been good for health, be it adults or kids. Theresa Nicklas, professor of pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine recommends parents to give the right amounts of 100% fruit juice to kids.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the correct amounts are 4-6 ounces per day for children 1- 6 years old and 8-12 ounces per day for children 7-18 years.

Dr. Nicklas' latest study, published in the October issue of Pediatrics, evaluated data from a national sample of preschool children and determined that consumption of 100 percent juice was not associated with body mass index (an indicator of overweight) among preschoolers.

The analysis done by Nicklas and her colleagues was based on the largest, ongoing government database on food consumption (NHANES - National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey).

As a child nutrition researcher, Dr. Nicklas states that there are many factors associated with childhood obesity that are very poorly understood and more research is needed regarding diet and also lifestyle and activity levels.

Dr. Nicklas emphasizes that children as well as adults need to consume more fruits and vegetables. An analysis done by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee found that 100 percent fruit juices provide substantial amounts of vitamin C, potassium and folate to the diet that would otherwise not be consumed. A one-half cup of juice is equivalent to one serving of fruit.

The latest information about 100 percent fruit juice and how it fits into a healthy diet for children is available at www.fruitjuicefacts.org.

Source-Eurekalert
GYT