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Kloeben, AS. Fruit juice consumption not related to growth among preschool-aged children enrolled in the WIC program. J Am Diet Assoc. September 2001. 101:9:996.

This letter-to-the-editor provides details of a study that evaluated 100% fruit juice consumption and growth indicators using subjects in an Atlanta (GA) Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) program. All of the study participants were low-income and predominantly minority children who drank anywhere from 0-128 ounces of juice per day; mean intake was 24 ounces per day. Growth parameters were compared between children who drank 12 ounces or less juice per day versus those who drank more. When correlating fruit juice intake with various growth indicators, the program directors stated that they found no statistically significant relationship between juice consumption, obesity and short stature.

 

Alexy U, Sichert-Hellert W, Kersting M, Manz F, Schoch G. Fruit juice consumption and the prevalence of obesity and short stature in German preschool children: results of the DONALD Study. Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometrical Longitudinally Designed. J Pediatr Gastroenterol. Nutr. 1999;29:343–349.

Designed to look at a possible association between excessive consumption of fruit juice (more than 12 ounces per day) and short stature and obesity, data were collected and evaluated on 205 children 3-5 years of age from the DONALD study. Of the 38 children who consumed more than 12 ounces daily, as shown on at least one of their three food diaries, none were obese or short, even though the juice supplied as much as 19 percent of calories. The researchers concluded, “Even children with repeatedly excessive fruit juice consumption over three years were neither obese nor short, and their growth velocity was normal.” They also state that they agree with others that any single food in excess can be detrimental but that “people must learn that a single food (e.g., fruit juice) is not healthy or unhealthy, but that the total composition of a diet must be balanced.”

 

USDA. Is Fruit Juice Dangerous for Children? Nutrition Insights. USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. March 1997.

Using statistics from the 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, USDA staff evaluated the appropriate data sets and found that there was no relationship between 100% fruit juice consumption and body mass index (BMI). This analysis of the diets of 830 children was done in response to a study by Dennison et al that suggested excessive juice consumption was linked with obesity and short stature. In fact, the USDA analysis found that children who drank the most 100% juice (12 ounces or more) were actually taller, with lower BMIs than those who drank less. This USDA document concludes: “Fruit juice consumption in quantities recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is advantageous for healthy children.”

 

Dennison, BA, Rockwell, H., Baker, S. Excess Fruit Juice Consumption by Pre-school-aged Children is Associated with Short Stature and Obesity. Pediatrics. January 1997. 99:15-22.

In this cross-sectional study of 168 children, fruit juice consumption among children (two year olds and five year olds) was evaluated over seven days with mean consumption being 5.9 ounces (2 year olds) and 5.0 ounces (5 year olds). The researchers stated that 10 of the 19 children who drank 12 ounces or more daily had BMIs greater than 75th percentile. They similarly found that 47 out of 149 children who drank less than 12 ounces per day had similarly high BMIs. The researchers do not suggest that children quit drinking juice; rather, they state that until more definitive research is done, it seems prudent for parents and caregivers to limit juice to no more than 12 ounces daily. Those who consumed the most 100% juice also had lower intakes of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than those who did not drink juice. Moreover, the researchers acknowledge that this cross-sectional study does not demonstrate causality and that further study in this area is warranted.

 

Welsh JA, Cogswell ME, Rogers S, Rockett H, Mei Z, Grummer-Strawn LM. Overweight among low-income preschool children associated with the consumption of sweet drinks: Missouri, 1999-2002. Pediatrics. 2005;115(2): e223-9.

This study was designed to examine the association between sweet drink consumption and overweight among preschool children using dietary records from 10,904 children who were 2-3 years of age. The source of the data was the Missouri Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System and Missouri Demonstration Project. Researchers recorded only the number of occasions the children consumed sweet beverages and not specific details of the amounts consumed (sweet drinks included 100% juices, fruit drinks, and sodas). The study concluded that “with fruit juice only, we found no significant associations for at-risk or normal/underweight children.” Among children who were overweight, the association with overweight was positive, but “the results were of only borderline significance.”

 

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