Topic Summary
The effects of sugar-containing beverages (SCB) on a child’s health status have been debated for quite a long, yet the consensus is still to be reached. However, even the existing studies indicate that changes have to be made in the dieting choices made by parents or legal guardians for children, as well as the nutrition options provided at schools and kindergartens (Berentzen et al., 2015). Studies show that SCB has a detrimental effect on the functioning of several critical organs, thus disrupting the performance of children’s digestive system, in general, and leading to the development of serious health complications (Schwimmer et al., 2019). Thus, the current perception of nutrition for children has to be revisited.
The reason for the research to be done is the rapid decline in health rates among children of school age. The current trends in health levels among the identified demographic point to the necessity to research the problem and prove that there is a link between the recent rise in health concerns in children and the changes in their diet that involve an increase in the amount of SCB. Thus, the goal of the study is to explore the connection between the identified variables and determine the strategies that can potentially influence the current situation positively.
Research Summary
The paper by Berentzen et al. (2015) focuses on the analysis of the effects that SCB has on the development of asthma in children. The total number of children involved in research was 2406. The study represented a statistical analysis and was based on the assessment of the distribution of beverage consumption, with different types of drinks having been included in the research. According to the results of the analysis, there are strong associations between the propensity among children toward asthma and the consumption of SCB.
Another study that addresses health concerns in children drinking SCB was performed by Leermakers et al. (2015). The participants of the study were represented by children of school age, with the research question addressing the connection between the intake of SCB and the body index of a child. The research was represented by a population-based prospective cohort study during which 2371 Dutch children were studied. According to the outcomes of the analysis, SCB consumption may affect the body mass index, yet further studies are required to confirm this assumption.
Finally, the paper by Schwimmer et al. (2019) indicates that an in-depth analysis of the connection between SCB and children’s health is required. According to the outcomes of a randomized clinical trial involving 40 10-16-year-old boys, the threat of hepatic steatosis and the associated health complications is very high in children drinking SCB. Consequently, it is essential to introduce a healthier dieting strategy and raise awareness among children, parents, and institutions such as schools and kindergartens.
Conclusion
The recent studies clearly point to the possible link between the increase in SCB consumption among children and the rise in the development of health concerns and complications. Among the ones that can be deemed as the greatest threat, one should mention the propensity among children that drink SCB to develop fatty liver disease, hypertension, and even the probability of asthma (Schwimmer et al., 2019).
Therefore, an in-depth analysis of the exact effects that SCB have on children of different age, as well as the extent of the threat to which they are exposed, is required. Thus, additional analysis of the subject matter and the following design of a health management program are needed. The problem of awareness among the target demographic and their family members also seem to be a significant impediment on the way to creating a more healthy environment for children. In addition, the existing nutrition policies for providing children with food in school and kindergarten cafeterias have to be reviewed. Thus, vulnerable groups will be provided with an opportunity to lead a more healthy life.
References
Berentzen, N. E., Van Stokkom, V. L., Gehring, U., Koppelman, G. H., Schaap, L. A., Smit, H. A., & Wijga, A. H. (2015). Associations of sugar-containing beverages with asthma prevalence in 11-year-old children: The PIAMA birth cohort. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(3), 303-308. Web.
Leermakers, E. T. M., Felix, J. F., Erler, N. S., Ćerimagić, A., Wijtzes, A. I., Hofman, A.,… Franco, O. H. (2015). Sugar-containing beverage intake in toddlers and body composition up to age 6 years: The Generation R study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(3), 314-321. Web.
Schwimmer, J. B., Ugalde-Nicalo, P., Welsh, J. A., Angeles, J. E., Cordero, M., Harlow, K. E.,… Cleeton, R. (2019). Effect of a low free sugar diet vs usual diet on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescent boys: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 321(3), 256-265. Web.