Skip to main content

Soft drinks not linked to decreased calcium intake

Alexandria, Va.--A new study by researchers at the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy (CFNP) at Virginia Tech published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that calcium intake among U.S. adolescents although inadequate, has remained a constant since the 1970s and does not appear to be linked to soft drink consumption.

The study, conducted by Maureen Storey, PhD, Richard Forshee, PhD and Patricia Anderson, MPP, assessed diet and beverage choices of boys and girls in four age groups: two to three year olds, four to eight year olds, nine to 13 year olds, and 14 to 18 year olds. The data used in the study were from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals from (CSFII) 1994-96 and 1998.

According to Maureen Storey, PhD, director of CFNP and lead author of the study, the data continue to show that soft drink consumption by teens is actually far less than is perceived.



The study found that adolescent girls (14 to 18 years of age) on average drink about one 12-ounce can of soda a day, and pre-adolescent girls (nine to 13 years of age) drink about three-fourths of a 12-ounce can each day. Consumption of diet carbonated soft drinks is low even among teen girls, who consume an average of only 59 grams, or less than two-tenths of a 12-ounce can, per day.

"Many people have the mistaken impression that adolescent girls are drinking inordinate amounts of soft drinks," Storey said. "However, it is wrong to suggest that girls are consuming gallons of soda pop when the amount they are drinking, about one can a day, is not excessive if they are physically active."

According to the study, Caucasian teenage boys (14 to 18 years old) come closest to meeting the recommended adequate intake (AI) for calcium for their age group, getting about 95 percent of AI.

However, this group is the most avid consumer of carbonated soft drinks, drinking nearly two 12-ounce cans a day. In general, younger boys and girls (two to three year olds and four to eight years olds) exceed their recommended AI for calcium, but African-American boys and girls in both age groups have significantly lower percent AIs for calcium than do Caucasian boys and girls.

The study also found that although milk and milk products have the strongest association with calcium intake, soft drink consumption was not linked to decreased calcium intake.

"This is most likely because milk and soft drinks are not close dietary substitutes. Rather, the data suggest that when trade-offs occur, it is more likely to be between carbonated soft drinks, fruit drinks and ades." Storey said.

Milk consumption among adolescent girls remains low, with this group falling far below recommended dietary levels of calcium consumption.

To increase calcium consumption among adolescent girls, the study suggests educational and promotional efforts to encourage milk consumption, use of calcium-fortified beverages and foods, and calcium supplements if consumption of dairy products or other calcium-rich foods remains inadequate.

This study was funded by an unrestricted grant from the National Soft Drink Association.

The Center for Food and Nutrition Policy (CFNP) is an independent research and education center affiliated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is located in Alexandria, VA. The mission of CFNP is to advance rational, science-based food and nutrition policy. Through its research, outreach, and teaching programs, the center examines complex and often contentious issues facing government policymakers, regulators, agribusinesses, and food manufacturers. CFNP is recognized as a center of excellence in food and nutrition policy by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

You may contact:
Maureen L. Storey, PhD
Director and Research Associate Professor
Center for Food and Nutrition Policy
Virginia Tech
1101 King St., Suite 611
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-518-2705
email: mstorey@vt.edu

Contact: Charlie Stott
540-231-6676
Virginia Tech

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Is too much soy bad for men?

While soy may be beneficial to women in a variety of ways, research in monkeys suggests that it could have an adverse effect on the behavior of men, according to researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Reporting in the current issue of the scientific journal Hormones and Behavior, the researchers found that in male monkeys, "long-term consumption of a diet rich in soy isoflavones can have marked influences on patterns of aggression and social behavior." Isoflavones are a naturally occurring plant estrogen in soy protein. "Although considerable attention has been directed at the potentially beneficial effects of isoflavones in reducing the risk of various cancers, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and postmenopausal symptoms, less effort has been invested in characterizing neurobehavioral effects," according to the study.

Dietary modification could be a simple way to reduce the risk of stroke

Dietary modification could be a simple way to reduce the risk of stroke say researchers. The research shows a diet that consists of meats, refined grains and desserts is associated with a greater risk for stroke than a diet of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes and whole grains. The study included dietary information on 71,768 female nurses between 38 and 63 years old. The women had no history of heart disease or diabetes. They completed questionnaires about their diet every few years for 14 years. Researchers tracked how many of the women had a stroke and then compared their diets. They rated the women's diets based on if they ate more of a Western diet or a prudent diet. During the follow-up, 791 women in the study had had a stroke. It was found that women who ate a Western diet vs. a prudent diet had a higher risk of developing a stroke . They say those who had the highest scores for a Western diet, meaning they mainly ate meat, refined grains and sweets, had a more than 50...

Food Commission UK publishes new guide to children's food

hildren deserve the best food and drink we can provide, but research shows that most children are eating a dangerously unbalanced diet, high in saturated fats, sugar and salt, and low in fruit and vegetables. More than one in five children are now overweight, and one in three children have tooth decay before they even begin primary school. A poor diet can mean poor concentration at school, and increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes in later life. The Food Commission Guide to Children's Food is designed to help parents and carers distinguish which children's foods are genuinely healthy, and to spot the unhealthy ingredients which lurk in many popular children's foods and drinks. The guide, published in poster format, explains that simply reading food labels and looking for added vitamins is not enough to protect children's health. Many food products are poorly labelled, and advertisers are happy to promote high fat, high sugar and high sa...