Name: Max
Topic: Health
Title of Article: Sugar makes up 16% of kids' daily diet
Publication Name: CNN
Author: Madison Park
Date of Publication: 2/29/2012
Length of Article: 200 words
According to a new report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, sugar now makes up an average of 16% of a kid's diet. This includes sugars from table sugar to sugar substitutes like high-fructose corn syrup. In addition, the report found that boys had a much higher sugar intake than girls. To be exact, boys consumed 362 calories of sugar on average, compared to 282 calories for girls. Sugar intake was also found to increase by age, starting at 218 grams at ages 2-5 and reaching 442 calories for ages 12-19. White males and females were found to eat the most sugar. Lastly, the report showed that 66% of the sugar intake happened at home, as opposed to school cafeterias or vending machines.
This report completely changed my knowledge of sugar intake in the US. It was especially surprising because kids from as young as elementary schoolers learn about the food triangle, which decrees that sugar take up only a tiny portion of our diets. However, it is clear that we are not heeding this good advice. From the results of the report, I find it no surprise that obesity is so high in the US. In addition, I was horrified to learn that kids received the majority of their sugar at home. This completely contradicted the popular belief that sodas and unhealthy cafeteria food were the culprits of high sugar intake. In fact, while we have been avoiding sugar intake from outside sources, we have completely thrown away our caution in our own homes. And because this report came from children, I think that adults are mostly to blame for this issue. However, it is up to everybody to maintain a good healthy diet. I will be sure to be watching my sugar intake from now on, both inside and outside of my house, and I hope that others will do the same.
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ReplyDeleteAccording to this article, sugar now takes up on average, an extremely high proportion of a child's diet; 16% to be exact. Not only is there a high amount of sugar in the diet, but the sugar can be mixed in with substances like high fructose corn syrup which is worse than plain sugar. However, this is not surprising because fast food, and sweetened beverages, which are a young person's favorite foods, contain high fructose corn syrup.It is interesting that boys have on average a higher calorie intake of sugar by 80 calories. Also, it is not surprising that sugar intake was found to increase by age because as children grow up, they get their own allowance and can probably go to the store and buy their own candy without their parent's constant control. I partially agree with your opinion in blaming adults because adults can only control so much of their child's actions. As we grow up, my friends and I can just go get sweets whenever we feel like it. However, I would agree with you in the possibility that this contributes to obesity in America. I know in my life, when I'm hungry I eat small pieces of candy which in my mind seems better than eating a big chunk of bread or something. Also, a possible reason 66% of the sugar intake happens at home could be because school snacks are overpriced.
ReplyDeleteJoshua:
ReplyDeleteMax's article summary really points out the trend that the United States is going on. It is incredible that children's diets are now 16% sugar. This statistic is furthered by the fact that 66% of sugar consumption is done at home. This shows a severe dip in parent control and household order as well as under-education of the general populace. A diet with such a high glycemic index can be a severe detriment towards the children's development. Recent studies indicate that a high glycemic load has a drastic correlation to obesity. A high intake of sugar and fructose can also create metabolic problems. Recent studies also show that increase sugar intake can make your body "sentisized" to sugar and it's toxic effects.
Based on the article and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, children are now consuming an average diet of 16% of sugar, including sugars from table sugar, and sugar substitutes such as high-fructose corn syrup. It is also found that boys have a much higher sugar consumption than girls, intaking 362 calories of sugar, compared to the girls' 282 calories of sugar. Another factor of sugar consumption is age. Statistics have shown that kids of ages 2-5 consume 218 grams of sugar on average, while ages 12-19 consume 442. While most would assume that this sugar overdose comes from cafeterias, homes are primarily where children digest the most sugar. This article is not too surprising for me, because it has been noticed that American diets have been depleting themselves of the nutrients we need, due to either ignorance in the food we consume, or unwillingness to eat healthy.
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