"We are in the midst of a youth diabetes epidemic that is perpetuated by all of these sugary drinks," said Harold Goldstein, one of the report's authors and the executive director at the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.
Research cited in the policy brief found that the percent of children under the age of 12 who drink at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day dropped between 2005 and 2012, however sugar beverage consumption increased among adolescents. Even in groups where sugar-sweetened beverage consumption declined between 2000 and 2010, the drinks continue to be a significant contributor to total caloric intake, especially for children and adolescents.
Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrew Creasey noted in the story that UC Cooperative Extension in Yuba and Sutter counties is helping teenagers understand the high level of sugar in their favorite beverages by displaying white sugar in the equivalent quantities.
"It's pretty shocking for them to see how much sugar is in these beverages," said UCCE nutrition educator Chelsey Slattery. "We talk about the health effects, the potential weight gain and how it can lead to diabetes and heart issues."
Slattery and her colleagues also teach students how to read a food label and how to be wary of advertisements.
"Sunny Delight has things like a sun and an orange on its label that make you think it's a healthy beverage, but it's only 5 percent juice," Slattery said.
Slattery encourages students to drink 100 percent juice, milk or water, the article said.