Fats and sugars are naturally appealing. Infants show a preference for sweet foods shortly after birth. In small quantities, in the right form, and balanced with foods from other food groups, fats and sugars are considered to be part of a natural, healthy diet. Problems develop when fatty and sugary foods are consumed in large, unbalanced quantity and constitute a disproportionate part of the diet. Children are particularly vulnerable to the ill effects of fatty and sugary diets because they are going through rapid growth and development and have demanding nutritional requirements. The effective marketing and prodigious sales of fatty and sugary foods in the United States and around the world has resulted in an increasingly overweight and obese population of children.
Relation to Obesity
According to the Med.Umich.edu, 17 percent of children were overweight or obese during the period of 2003 to 2006. Sugary food is not necessarily the primary culprit in most cases of childhood obesity. Fatty foods such as fast, fried and snack foods have twice the calories of sugary foods per given amount. Children who are overweight or obese tend to eat larger portions and tend to eat high caloric fatty foods. Fatty and sugary foods also foster binge eating because of the intrinsic attractiveness of the flavor to children. Also, adult patterns of eating are often established in childhood. Children who eat unbalanced diets with lots of fatty and sugary foods become adults who are prone to the same unhealthy practice. Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition that can result when a lot of sugar is consumed all at once. Two to 4 hours after eating there is a temporary fall in blood sugar, which may cause symptoms such as sweating, hunger, poor concentration, dizziness, tiredness or sleepiness. The drop in blood sugar causes a release of insulin by the pancreas, which in turn causes a surge in epinephrine levels. These symptoms do not occur in everyone, but in some they may contribute to a cyclic pattern of replenishing sugar levels by eating something sweet, which is then followed by another episode of low blood sugar, and then later, more sugar refueling.
Hyperactivity/ADHD
Research on the effect of sugar on hyperactivity in ADHD has yielded mixed results. Some small studies have failed to find that sugar consumption leads to hyperactivity. Certain investigators, such as Milich or Wolraich's, as described at ADDADHDAdvances.com, have suggested that parents' belief that sugar has an effect on hyperactivitiy leads parents to falsely perceive hyperactivity as an effect of sugar consumption. Other studies have suggested that sugar may have specific effects on some children. For example, a study of 261 hyperactive children conducted by Langseth and Dowd found that 74 percent of the children had reactive hypoglycemia after consuming refined sugar. In a study by Yale investigator Girardi, ADHD children showed greater deficits in concentration and heightened impulsivity after a large dose of glucose.
Cavities
Sugar can cause tooth decay. Sweets that stick to the teeth, such as caramels, pose the greatest risk.
Soda, Soft Drinks and Energy Drinks
Soft drinks and energy drinks are significant sources of sugar and calories in children's diets. As reported at GlobalHealingCenter.com, between 1979 and 2009 the consumption of soda has doubled for girls and tripled for boys. In addition to delivering high doses of simple processed sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup, soft drinks have phosphorous, which is associated with calcium deficiencies and tooth decay.
Recommendations
Sweet and sugary foods can be consumed by children without ill effects, but should be done so in moderation. Possibly hypoglycemic effects can be tempered by eating sweets as desserts rather than as snacks. Protein and complex carbohydrates, which should comprise the bulk of the main meal, are not able to be so quickly metabolized, and will stabilize blood sugars and minimize glucose surges. The risk of tooth decay and cavities can be minimized by using fluoridated water and brushing teeth after eating foods with sugar. Encourage your children to use beverages besides soft drinks, including water, low fat milk and natural fruit juices.
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