1. The Problem with Sugary Drinks
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Health Education Department
Jenna Levy, Health Educator
Medical Reviewer: Leigha Winters, M.D.
August 2016

2. The Downsides of Sugary Drinks
Soda, sports drinks, chocolate milk, and juice add lots of calories without adding any nutritional value
Makes it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight
Leads to tooth decay and can end up replacing milk in children’s diets
Causes a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes

3. Relationship to Obesity
Sugary drinks (soda, energy, sports drinks) are a major contributor to the obesity epidemic.
If you drink 300 calories worth of sugary beverages, you will feel a lot less full than if you ate 300 calories worth of solid food.
People who drink sugary beverages do not balance out their diet by eating fewer calories – which is why people gain weight.

4. Relationship to Obesity (2)
Every day, half the people in the US consume sugary drinks
Sugary drinks are the top calorie source in teenagers’ diets (226 calories per day)
Studies show that overweight children and adults have better weight control when they decrease their sugary drink consumption

5. Sugar in Popular Children’s Drinks

6. Instead of Soda... Drink water!
Try adding a slice of your favorite fruit for flavor
If you do buy a sugary drink, make sure to read the label first, so you know what you’re drinking
Kids age two to ten years should drink water or fat free whole milk instead of sugary drinks
Line spacing

7. References
PAMF Youth Nutrition Program
Harvard School of Public Health