The Problems With Soda Pop For Teens

Soda and other sweetened beverages are the third-largest calorie contributor in the average teen’s diet, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Not only is the added sugar a major health issue, but teens often drink soda pop in place of foods that could add some nutritional value to their day. The American Heart Association recommends limiting soda consumption to no more than 36 ounces, or three 12-ounce cans, per week to reduce the possibility of chronic disease.

Tooth Decay

Colgate-Palmolive, manufacturer of Colgate toothpaste, considers soft drinks one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Although this problem is found across all age groups, it is especially prevalent among teenagers, with some consuming as many as 12 soft drinks per day. Sticking to sugar-free soda pop is not the answer, as its acidic ingredients are also detrimental to a teen’s dental health. Soda pop damages tooth enamel, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. This is particularly for bad teens with who already have soft enamel and bad dental hygiene, because the effect of soda pop on tooth enamel is cumulative.

Weight Problems and Obesity

A 2009 study conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found a direct link between the consumption of soda and other sweetened beverages and obesity among California’s population. The most troubling statistic concerns teens -- the study found that 62 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 17 drank at least one sweetened soda each day. One 12-ounce can of a popular cola contains 39 grams of sugar, the equivalent of more than 9 teaspoons of the sweet stuff. Drinking just one can of this cola per day means that at the end of the year, each of those teens has consumed an additional 31 pounds of sugar. Unless these teens have reduced their daily calorie intake or increased their physical exercise to accommodate this influx of sugar, weight issues leading to obesity are inevitable.

Osteoporosis

Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that teenagers who drink soda tend to consume less milk, thereby getting less calcium. Since roughly one-half of a teen’s adult skeleton forms during adolescence, insufficient calcium consumption greatly increases the risk of osteoporosis. The risk increases for teens who smoke, or who have a family history of the disease.

Type 2 Diabetes

According to the CDC, soda consumption among teens is indirectly related to type 2 diabetes. The link between soda consumption and obesity is clear, and obesity is one of the leading risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Teens who suffer from diabetes are at greater risk for stroke, heart and kidney diseases, as well as vision problems and neuropathy.