brilliantbaby.com the website that can help you have a happy, smarter child.

According to studies, daily consumption of soda, fruit-flavored drinks, and sport drinks has leaped from 11.5 ounces between 1989 and 1991 to 19 ounces between 1994 and 1995. About 65% of adolescent girls, and 74% of adolescent boys drink one soft drink everyday.

The average soda size has catapulted from 6.5 ounces (about 75 calories) in the 1950, to 20 ounces (250 calories) in the late 1990. Many fast food fat-booster take out establishments now offer a whooping 40 ounces (410 calories) serving size with free refills.

A typical 12 ounce can of soda is loaded with 10 teaspoons of sugar while a 20 ounce can has 17 teaspoons of sugar.

To burn 200 calories takes about 30 minutes of moderate activity. However, most of these teens are watching TV and has no time left to exercise.

Reference: Infectious Diseases in Children, September, 2003, page 56-58.

Leo Leonidas, MD, FAAP, Assistant Clinical Professor in Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston; Attending Pediatrician, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine.

Coming soon in a computer near you:    parentsmedschool.com

Watch for this First Medical School for Parents in late October 2003.

[Home] [Smart Baby] [Baby Math] [Our Graduates] [Toddlers] [15 Months] [The Silent Epidemic] [Pre-School] [Today] [Diagnosis] [Medical Errors] [Physical Examination] [Treatment] [Best Practice] [Parents Grand Rounds] [Medical Decisions] [About Us]