Keeping Teeth Healthy: Beverages and Dental Health   

Juice for Kids: How Much is Too Much?   

Special Hydration Considerations: Fluid Needs and Hydration Tips for Children   

Highlights from the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans   

American Academy of Pediatrics Doubles Vitamin D Recommendations   (AAFP)

Nutrition Basics Help Fight Child Obesity   (US FDA)

Do food colors cause hyperactivity?   (IFIC)

Fortified Juice Boosts Kids’ Omega-3 Levels   (Reuters)

Is OJ as good a source of vitamin D as supplements?   (Reuters)

Mom's exercise may help 'normalize' baby's weight   (Reuters)

Family Meals, Vegetables May Keep Kids Trim   (Reuters)

After-school exercise helps overweight girls   (Reuters)

Child fitness: Sneaky strategies aim to get kids moving   (Reuters)

Kids Should Get Moving to Avoid Obesity   (Reuters)

Youth Program Helps Buck Unhealthy Trend   (BGCA)

IOM Updates Guidance on Vitamin D, Calcium: A Pediatrician's Perspective on What Health Professionals Need to Know   An interview with Dr. Steven Abrams
In this interview, Dr. Steven Abrams provides insight about conclusions and implications of the new calcium and vitamin D recommendations, especially as they apply to infants, children and adolescents.

Beverages & Bone Health: Helpful, Harmful or No Effect   
An interview with Dr. Robert Heaney
In this interview, bone health expert Dr. Robert P. Heaney discusses why overall diet quality and weight-bearing exercise are critical for bone health and explains how calcium-balance research confirmed that soft drinks containing caffeine, carbonation and phosphoric acid will not negatively impact bone health as long as calcium intake is adequate.

Nutrition Guidance for Healthy Children Aged 2 to 11 Years   Position of the American Dietetic Association
This position reviews what US children are eating and explores trends in food and nutrient intakes as well as the impact of school meals on children's diets. Dietary recommendations and guidelines and the benefits of physical activity are also discussed.

Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents   American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement
Wagner CL, Greer FR; American Pediatrics. 2008 Nov;122(5):1142-52.

Optimizing bone health and calcium intakes of infants, children, and adolescents   American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement
Greer FR, Krebs NF. Pediatrics. 2006 Feb;117(2):578-85.

Prevention of pediatric overweight and obesity   American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement
Krebs NF, Jacobson MS. Pediatrics. 2003;112(2):424-30.

Promotion of healthy weight-control practices in young athletes.   
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Pediatrics. 1996; 97 :752 –753.

Children, adolescents, and television   American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement
Pediatrics.2001; 107 :423 –426.

The Use and Misuse of Fruit Juice in Pediatrics   American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement
Pediatrics. 2001;107(5):1210-1213.

Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners   Position of the American Dietetic Association
J Am Diet Assoc. 2004; 104:255-275.

Total Diet Approach to Communicating Food and Nutrition Information   Position of the American Dietetic Association

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans   (US HHS)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans in 2008 describing the types and amounts of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits.

Sport and Health. EU 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines   (EU)
Recommended Policy Actions in Support of Health-Enhancing Physical Activity. Fourth Consolidated Draft, Approved by the EU Working Group "Sport & Health" at its meeting on 25 September 2008.

Scientific Opinion on the appropriateness of the food azo-colours Tartrazine (E 102), Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110), Carmoisine (E 122), Amaranth (E 123), Ponceau 4R (E 124), Allura Red AC (E 129), Brilliant Black BN (E 151), Brown FK (E 154), Brown HT (E 155)and Litholrubine BK (E 180) for inclusion in the list of food ingredients set up in Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC.   
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1778.

EFSA updates safety advice on six food colours   (EU)
European Food Safety Authority. Press release 12 November 2009.

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR, Germany) Expert Opinion No. 040/2007   (Germany)
Hyperactivity and additives – Is there an association? Sept. 13, 2007.

COT Statement on research project (T07040) investigating the mixtures of certain food colours and a preservative on behaviour in children   (UK)
COT statement 2007/04, Food Standards Agency (U.K.), Committee on Toxicity. September 2007.

Agency revises advice on certain artificial colours   (UK)
Food Standards Agency (U.K.). Sept 11, 2007

Food Standards Australia New Zealand   
Effects of artificial colours on children’s behavior.

Food Ingredients and Colors   (IFIC/US FDA)

Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on Food Additives   (EU)

IOM Updates Guidance on Vitamin D, Calcium: A Pediatrician's Perspective on What Health Professionals Need to Know   An interview with Dr. Steven Abrams
In this interview, Dr. Steven Abrams provides insight about conclusions and implications of the new calcium and vitamin D recommendations, especially as they apply to infants, children and adolescents.

Children's Dietary Recommendations: When Urban Myths, Opinions, Parental Perceptions and Evidence Collide   
In this program, Dr. Ronald Kleinman explores prevalent misconceptions about these food ingredients, the scientific evidence for recommendations about their use with children, and communication strategies to guide discussions with parents.

Hydration and children   (Podcast)
Learn about why proper hydration is especially important for kids.

Active Healthy Lifestyle Pyramid for Children and Adolescents   
In this program, Dr. Macella Gonzales-Gross discusses the research behind a new healthy lifestyle pyramid developed by Dr. Gonzales-Gross and colleagues as a teaching tool for children and adolescents in Spain. This pioneering initiative has enabled an innovative tool to be created that includes all the aspects of nutrition and hydration, physical activity, hygiene and the need to avoid improper habits such as the consumption of any kind of alcohol or tobacco, in order to ward off future health problems from early ages and help enhance quality of life.

Children's Dietary Recommendations: When Urban Myths, Opinions, Parental Perceptions & Scientific Evidence Collide   
Urban myths about food ingredients abound—and raise concern among parents about their children’s health. Fluoride, sugar, artificial colors and nonnutritive sweeteners are food ingredients that have been carefully examined for their effects on children’s health, growth and development. Yet, parents' perceptions of their safety and effectiveness are often at odds with recommendations regarding their use. In this program, Dr. Ronald Kleinman of Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School explores prevalent misconceptions about these food ingredients, the scientific evidence for recommendations about their use with children, and communication strategies to guide discussions with parents.

Promoting Healthy Bones: Sorting Out the Science   (Webinar)
In this program, noted bone health expert Dr. Robert P. Heaney, a Creighton University Professor of Medicine, reviews the research that demonstrates a synergy between nutrition and exercise in promoting bone health, and uses the impact of protein intake on calcium balance as an example to explain why taking a "mono-nutrient" approach to bone health is usually wrong. He also discusses clinical research findings that confirmed that while a nutrient-poor diet and lack of exercise negatively affect calcium balance and bone health, beverages containing caffeine, phosphoric acid, and carbonation do not.

Move It!-Research Updates from the Activity Side of the Energy Balance Equation   (CPE Program)
In this program, physical activity and health researchers Dr. Steven Blair and Dr. Timothy Church discuss the ‘fit versus fat’ debate, the difference between exercise and physical activity, and research related to the role of fitness in weight loss/weight management and quality of life issues, heart disease mortality, depression and cancer. They also discuss the growing support for the role of physical activity in promoting healthful aging and preventing serious diseases, including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, plus effective strategies for motivating clients to increase physical activity in their daily lives.

Understanding and Effectively Communicating Food and Nutrition Science: Leading Consumers to Better Health   (CPE Program - IFIC)
His free CPE program is available on The International Food Information Council website. Topics covered include identifying elements of nutrition research that are relevant to appropriate interpretation and components of a nutrition study that assist in determining strengths and weaknesses of the research, consumer attitudes and preferences that impact food and nutrition communications and “7 Guiding Principles” for successful communication of food and nutrition research.

Helping Consumers Get the “Big Picture:” Practical Approaches to Promoting a Healthful, Balanced Eating Pattern   (CPE Program - IFIC)
This free CPE program is available on The International Food Information Council website. Topics covered include scientific support for a balanced, food-based eating plan and dietary patterns; nutrients of concern and food group shortfalls common in the diets of many consumers; common consumer stumbling blocks that lead to inadequate eating pattern; and practical counseling and communications strategies to encourage consumers to adopt more healthful eating patterns.

A Practical Guide to Risk Communications   (CPE Program - IFIC)
This free CPE program is available on The International Food Information Council website. Topics covered include defining risk and understanding risk communication realities from the consumer’s perspective, strategies for addressing the inherent uncertainties in risk communication and how to guide consumers in making informed decisions about risk.

Physical Activity: The Key to Keeping Your Child Healthy   
Based on “Active Healthy Lifestyles. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross and colleagues, this fact sheet can help parents understand the importance of helping children adopt sensible, balanced fitness and nutrition habits.

Helping Your Children Become Physically Active   
Based on “Active Healthy Lifestyles. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross and colleagues, this fact sheet is designed for parents to help children become more active.

Fluid Needs and Hydration Tips for Children   
Based on “Active Healthy Lifestyles. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross and colleagues, this fact sheet for is designed to help parents understand the hydration needs of children, signs of dehydration, and hydration and physical activity.

Nutrition Basics For Healthy Eating   
Based on “Active Healthy Lifestyles. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross and colleagues, this fact sheet for is designed for parents to help children adopt sensible, balanced nutrition habits.

Hitting the Sweet Spot in an Active, Healthy Lifestyle   

The Low-Down on Low-Calorie Sweeteners   

10 tips for Managing Sweetness   

Beverage Calorie Comparison Tool   

Nutrient Glossary   

MyPyramid Tracker   (USDA)

MyFood-A-pedia   (USDA)

Relationship between 100% juice consumption and nutrient intake and weight of adolescents.   
O'Neil CE, Nicklas TA, Kleinman R. Am J Health Promot. 2010;24(4):231-7.

Systematic review demonstrating that breakfast consumption influences body weight outcomes in children and adolescents in Europe.   
Szajewska H, Ruszczynski M. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010;50(2):113-9.

Is Sugar Consumption Detrimental to Health? A Review of the Evidence 1995—2006.   
Ruxton CHS, Gardner EJ, McNulty HM. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Jan;50(1):1-19.

Making time for meals: meal structure and associations with dietary intake in young adults.   
Larson NI, Nelson MC, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Hannan PJ. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(1):72-9.

Family correlates of breakfast consumption among children and adolescents. A systematic review.   
Pearson N, Biddle SJ, Gorely T. Appetite. 2009;52(1):1-7.

Breakfast consumption in adolescence and young adulthood: parental presence, community context, and obesity.   
Merten MJ, Williams AL, Shriver LH. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(8):1384-91.

Breakfast skipping is associated with differences in meal patterns, macronutrient intakes and overweight among pre-school children.   
Dubois L, Girard M, Potvin Kent M, Farmer A, Tatone-Tokuda F. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(1):19-28.

A systematic review of the effect of breakfast on the cognitive performance of children and adolescents.   
Hoyland A, Dye L, Lawton CL. Nutr Res Rev. 2009;22(2):220-43.

Are family meal patterns associated with overall diet quality during the transition from early to middle adolescence?   
Burgess-Champoux TL, Larson N, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan PJ, Story M. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009;41(2):79-86.

Associations between added sugars and micronutrient intakes and status: further analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People aged 4 to 18 years.   
S, Boyd A. Br J Nutr. 2009;101(1):100-7.

Family meals during adolescence are associated with higher diet quality and healthful meal patterns during young adulthood.   
Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan PJ, Story M. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107(9):1502-10.

Christmas 2008: Seasonal fayre – festive medical myths.   
Vreeman RC and Carroll AE. BMJ 2008;337:a2769 .

Diet and child behavior problems: fact or fiction?   
Cormier E and Harrison Elder J. Pediatr. Nursing 2007:33:138-143.

Energy Balance 101   (Discovery Education)

American Academy of Pediatrics   (AAP)

healthychildren.org   (AAP)

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion   (USDA)

MyPyramid.gov   (USDA)

American Dietetic Association   (ADA)

Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation   (HWF)

International Food Information Council   (IFIC)

European Food Information Council   (EUFIC)

Asian Food Information Council   (AFIC)

Great Fun2Run   (UK)

Do the high amount of sugar in beverages make children hyperactive?   
No, the sugar in beverages does not cause children to be hyperactive. Scientists have tested theories about sugary drinks and hyperactivity since the 1920s and have not found any link. Although some studies have suggested a possible association between sugar intake and hyperactivity, most of the evidence comes from unique, individual experiences, often associated with other medical conditions that cannot be applied to a larger population. Recent reviews of well-designed studies produced no evidence that sugar has a negative influence on children’s behavior. The authors of a December 2008 publication on medical myths also reviewed these studies and concluded that “sugar is not to blame for out of control little ones.” With all the previous efforts and studies, further research is not likely to establish a compelling link between sugar and hyperactive behavior.Of course, as with all foods and beverages given to children, moderation and balance is important.

I have heard certain food colors have been banned because they make children hyperactive. Should I be worried about my children?   
A review of the published literature does not support the connection between food colors and hyperactivity in children. The theory that certain food colors cause hyperactivity in children is an old one that has been tested, and these studies have been unable to show a cause-and-effect relationship.The U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently advised parents of hyperactive children (sometimes termed Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, or ADHD) to avoid certain food colors because doing so might have some beneficial effects. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the scientific study provided by the U.K. FSA and determined that the study was not sufficient to serve as a basis for changing dietary advice or permissible levels in Europe. In spite of this and similar advice from other European national risk assessment authorities, the European community has formally adopted legislation (December 2008) requiring food products containing these particular food colors to bear a warning statement, “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” In 2009, EFSA re-reviewed all available evidence for the six food colors and concluded that the available evidence “did not substantiate a causal link between the individual colours and possible behavioural effects”.In June 2008, a consumer advocacy group in the United States called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the use of eight colors in food, claiming they are linked to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children. In response to the requested ban, and following review of one of the studies cited by the advocacy group as evidence for the link, an FDA spokesperson commented that “(We) didn’t find a reason to change our conclusions that the ingredients are safe for the general population.” The FDA spokesperson added that the agency’s findings are in line with similar views from EFSA.All additives used in our products, including colors, have been reviewed by numerous health authorities, are permitted in every country where we operate, and are considered safe for use. It is important to note that the colors that will bear the warning statement under the new proposed European Union (EU) legislation (sunset yellow, quinoline yellow, carmoisine, allura red, tartrazine and ponceau 4R) are still approved for safe use in the EU. Additionally, intake studies in Australia and Ireland found that children and teens were not consuming nearly the levels of food colors that have been used as a basis for recommendations to remove these colors.There are many factors associated with hyperactive behavior in children. These are thought to include genetic factors, being born prematurely, or environment and upbringing.