Culture Post: Source Of Sugar Matters More Than Amount For Childhood Obesity

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by Medical Daily.

Excess sugar in the diet is a known risk factor for developing metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes. Researchers have now found that the source of sugar matters more than the amount when it comes to the development of obesity in children.

The study results presented at the European Congress on Obesity revealed that the total amount of sugar consumed while being a toddler did not affect the weight of the child at the age of 10 or 11.

The researchers also found that children who get a higher proportion of their sugar from fruits and unsweetened liquid dairy products such as milk and buttermilk had a reduced risk of developing overweight or obesity. However, those getting a greater proportion of sugar from sweet snacks, confectioneries, sweetened milk, and yogurt drinks, have a higher risk of gaining weight.

“The high consumption of sugary foods is considered a risk factor for childhood overweight and obesity and so children are advised to consume less sugar-rich foods, such as confectionery, cakes, and sugar-sweetened drinks, and eat more fruit and unsweetened dairy products, such as milk and yogurt,” lead researcher Junyang Zo said in a news release.

The study was based on data from an ongoing longitudinal study involving 891 children born in the northern Netherlands, between April 2006 and April 2007. To understand the association between obesity and the total amount of sugar intake in early childhood and the intake of sugar from different sources on weight, the researchers used a food intake questionnaire filled in by the parents of the participants.

Source: Medical Daily
https://www.medicaldaily.com/source-sugar-matters-more-amount-childhood-obesity-study-471739

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