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Beverage intake of Mexican school‐age children
Author(s) -
Safdie Margarita,
Stein Aryeh D,
Torres Catalina,
Lirizarry Laura,
Bonvecchio Anabelle,
Rivera Juan A
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.744.17
Subject(s) - environmental health , medicine , obesity , overweight , caloric intake , consumption (sociology) , food intake , added sugar , sugar , demography , food science , biology , social science , sociology
Mexico is experiencing an increasing epidemic of childhood obesity. Caloric intake from beverages is not offset by reductions in caloric intake from food. The Mexican Government has instituted policies to reduce caloric beverage consumption in schools, but the contribution of caloric beverages to overall energy intake is not known. Objective To assess beverage intake in children 9–11 y old attending public schools in Mexico City. Methodology We administered a previously‐developed, child‐friendly beverage diary. Children (n=131) completed three weekday diaries and (96) one weekend diary. Results 3592 reports of beverage consumption were obtained. During weekdays, the distribution of consumed beverages was: sugar‐sweetened beverages 48.8%, natural water 31.3%, unsweetened whole milk beverages 11.4% During weekends 798 reports from 96 children were obtained, the distribution was: sugar‐sweetened beverages 58.1%, natural water 32.2%, unsweetened whole milk beverages 11.6%. Conclusion Caloric beverages are consumed frequently, especially on weekends and likely contribute to the growing prevalence of overweight in Mexican children.