Sugar is hard to avoid in the modern Western diet. Even if you don't feed your children obviously sugary foods like candy and cookies, added sugars can sneak up on you in many seemingly healthy foods, and are ubiquitous in plenty of the processed foods toddlers like to eat. While it may seem easier to feed your toddler the foods she enjoys -- even if they contain sugar -- rather than fight daily battles with a picky eater, think twice. High sugar intake can cause serious health risks for young children.
Sugar and Childhood Obesity
One of the major risks of high sugar intake in children is potential future weight problems. According to pediatric endocrinologist and obesity expert Robert Luftig, M.D., of the University of California San Francisco, sugar consumption is the main factor in the United States' childhood obesity epidemic. Dr. Lustig states that child obesity rates have risen as U.S. sugar consumption has increased, and notes that sugar both encourages excess fat storage and drives appetite and cravings. A child who eats a lot of sugar as a toddler is likely to continue to crave and consume sugary foods as he grows, which could result in excess weight.
Sugar and Hyperactivity
The notion that sugar causes hyperactivity in children has long been an assumption among parents and other caregivers. In reality, as reported by the National Institutes of Health, the connection between sugar and activity level is controversial and not fully supported by research. However, some parents report clear behavioral consequences of their children's sugar intake, insisting that sugar makes their kids hyper and out of control. The NIH points out that sugar affects blood glucose and adrenaline levels, both of which can affect children's behavior.
Other Problems
Obesity and hyperactivity aren't the only risks associated with high sugar intake in children. The most well-supported finding regarding sugar's health risks for young children is tooth decay, says the National Institutes of Health. Toddlers who eat a high-sugar diet are at risk for dental cavities. Another concern is that sugar may take the place of healthy foods that provide important nutrients needed for proper pediatric growth and development. A toddler who consumes a lot of sugar may become malnourished from filling up on no-nutrient calories at the expense of nutrient-rich foods.
How Much is Too Much?
With sugar included in so many packaged and processed foods, often under different labels like fructose, sucrose, honey, brown rice syrup or maltose, it can be difficult for parents to determine if their children are consuming too much sugar. However, the United States Department of Agriculture advises that children consume no more than 10 percent of their daily calories in the form of sugars. For example, that would be roughly 120 calories' worth in a 1,200 calorie diet for 4- to 8-year-old children. Your best bet is to limit your toddler's intake of processed, packaged foods with long ingredients lists and added artificial ingredients and instead emphasize whole, unprocessed foods. Good choices are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, dairy products and lean proteins. For comprehensive dietary recommendations for your toddler, consult your pediatrician or a pediatric registered dietitian.
References
- University of California San Francisco News Center; Sugar is a Poison, Says UCSF Obesity Expert; Jeffrey Norris; June 2009
- National Institutes of Health; MedlinePlus; Hyperactivity and Sugar; Neil K. Kaneshiro, M.D., M.H.A., et al.; May 2011
- United States Department of Agriculture ChooseMyPlate.gov; Empty Calories; June 2011
