Do the recommendations to limit sugar-sweetened beverages to no more than 450 calories per week apply to children?
This calorie limit is based on a daily 2000-calorie diet. Daily calorie needs and discretionary calorie levels vary for all individuals, including children, so the recommendations for sugar-sweetened beverages for young children will generally be lower due to their lower energy needs. Some older, very active children may require 2000 calories and for those children, the 450 calorie limit does apply. This limit is very important, especially in light of the fact that the rate of childhood obesity has increased and sugar-sweetened soft drinks are relatively high in calories for small children. It is essential to help our children eat a healthy diet and achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. The obesity epidemic among children has caused children to experience adult conditions, such as elevated cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes at younger ages.
