Girls taking sweetened drinks may gain more weight

Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University in University Park came to the conclusion after analyzing what 166 non-Hispanic white girls drank between the ages of 5 and 15. They also measured their weight, height, and body fat.

After allowing for other factors tied to weight and body fat levels, girls who drank two or more sweetened drinks daily had higher percentages of body fat, weighed more, and were more likely to be overweight than girls who drank lesser amounts of such beverages, according to the study published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Of the 5 and 15 year old girls drinking less than one drink, the researchers found about 16 and 19 percent overweight, respectively. Among those drinking two or more sweetened drinks, about 39 percent were overweight at five years, and 32 percent were the same when 15 years old.

Besides being tied to long-term overweight, higher body fat during the teen years may also lead to other health problems such as diabetes and later heart disease, according to the study.

Body fat and weight did not vary depending on how much milk or juice made from 100 percent fruit the girls drank, said the study.

The researchers recommend that young children should substitute sweetened drinks with reduced-fat milk and water so as to reduce the risk of being overweight.