Sports/energy drinks not appropriate for children and adolescents

Opinion

Related Photos

LaDell Emmons

August 25, 2012

Sports/energy drinks not appropriate for children and adolescents

By LaDell Emmons Special Correspondent The McAlester News-Capital Sat Aug 25, 2012, 10:40 AM CDT

McALESTER — Despite the fact that sports and energy drinks are marketed to the under 18-years-of-age population, these drinks are not always a good choice for children, especially when consumed at meals and snacks in place of low-fat milk or water.

These beverages are often consumed inappropriately because they are perceived to be healthier choices compared to soft drinks. Sports drinks are flavored beverages that contain carbohydrates, minerals and electrolytes. They were developed for endurance athletes to optimize performance by replacing electrolytes and fluid lost through sweat while exercising. If youth are involved in prolonged (one hour or more) and vigorous physical activity or in hot, humid weather conditions, they may benefit from sports drinks. However, for the average child engaged in normal physical activity, sports drinks are not necessary.

Routine consumption of carbohydrate-containing sports drinks can lead to excessive caloric intake and can increase the risk of overweight and obesity, which are major problems for today’s youth. In addition, citric acid is a common ingredient in sports drinks and can cause dental erosion from excessive consumption. The best thing for youth to drink is water.

It’s an essential dietary component and provides adequate hydration needed for normal body functioning during exercise and routine daily activity. A person’s need for water increases during exercise and in environmental conditions including heat, humidity and sun exposure. Lack of adequate water intake results in dehydration, which can affect sports performance.

Both children and adults should be taught to drink water as the routine beverage of first choice. It should be readily accessible to children, especially during the school day.

Energy drinks can pose potential health risks because of the stimulant content. Caffeine is the primary source of stimulants in energy drinks and these drinks usually contain much larger amounts than found in a serving of cola. A 12-ounce can of cola contains about 42 mg of caffeine while energy drinks vary from 300 mg to 480 mg.

Some research shows that caffeine can enhance physical performance in adults, but the effects in children and adolescents have not been studied. However, there is increased evidence of caffeine toxicity and addiction in youth, which can adversely affect development of the neurological and cardiovascular systems. Due to these negative effects, excessive caffeine consumption should be discouraged for all children.

Given the high rates of childhood overweight and obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends eliminating all calorie-containing beverages from a well-balanced diet, with the exception of low-fat or fat-free milk.

Sports drinks should be limited to use by children and adolescents only when engaged in strenuous endurance activities that last for an hour or more, or when the weather conditions are extremely hot and humid. Energy drinks are not recommended under any circumstances.

For more information in Pittsburg County, call 918-423-4120 or log onto www.oces.okstate.edu/pittsburg.

LaDell Emmons is the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for the Pittsburg County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Contact her at ladell.emmons@okstate.edu.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Eufaula Classic crossed the line
Aggression cross the line into violence Saturday at the 29th annual Lake Eufaula All-Star Classic, but who's to blame?

May 21, 2013 3 Photos
Want better roads? Vote 'yes'
McAlester’s roads are a mess. There’s no question about that. But it’s up to voters Tuesday to fix the problem anytime in the near future.

May 11, 2013 1 Photo 1 Story
District 7 state Sen. Larry Boggs, R-Red Oak: Capitol Report
Hi neighbors.
According to Oklahoma’s Constitution, the Legislature must conclude its work by no later than 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May. But that hasn’t always been the case.

May 8, 2013 1 Photo
Jason Collins should open floodgates
The life of every gay athlete got a whole lot easier Monday, when center Jason Collins became the first openly gay player in the NBA. Collins, a free agent when this season ends, played for the Boston Celtics and then Washington Wizards this season.

April 30, 2013 1 Photo
Joy destroyed at Boston Marathon
The crowds have always made the Boston Marathon a joyful event to watch, and probably also in which to participate. All those good vibes were lost on Monday when terrorists detonated two bombs near the race’s finish line, killing three and wounding approximately 175 more.

April 16, 2013 2 Photos
Rutgers must purge itself of Mike Rice
Rutgers University took its first step forward on Monday when it chose former dean Carl Kirschner to take over as temporary athletic director following the resignation of Tim Pernetti. Kirschner will have to find a full-time AD, who will then have to find a men’s basketball coach to replace the disgraced Mike Rice.

April 9, 2013
District 7 state Sen. Larry Boggs, R-Red Oak: Capitol Report
Last week was a slow one in the Senate as we were still waiting for House bills to be assigned to Senate committees. March 28th is the first deadline for double-assigned House bills. We then have until April 4th to take action on single-assigned bills and until April 11th to report double-assigned bills out of committee.

April 4, 2013 1 Photo
Editorial:
It looks as though the state’s prison employees are getting the short end of the stick — again.
Tuesday, the House tabled a bill that would have given all state prison workers a 5 percent pay hike. Starting pay for correctional officers would have gone to $14 per hour, up from a staggering-low of $11.83.

March 18, 2013
Most passive immunity occurs in the first 6 Hours
As calving season continues in Pittsburg County, let’s re-visit the importance of passive immunity via colostrum (mother’s milk).

February 27, 2013
State fifth highest in sales tax rates
There was a time when the federal government relied on income taxes for its revenue stream, state and local government got sales taxes, and county government and schools relied on property taxes.

February 20, 2013
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Related Photos

Sports/energy drinks not appropriate for children and adolescents

Site Map

Contact Us