title: Added Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Poor lifestyle behaviors are leading causes of preventable diseases globally. Added sugars contribute to a diet that is energy dense but nutrient poor and increase risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity-related cancers, and dental caries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For this American Heart Association scientific statement, the writing group reviewed and graded the current scientific evidence for studies examining the cardiovascular health effects of added sugars on children. The available literature was subdivided into 5 broad subareas: effects on blood pressure, lipids, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Associations between added sugars and increased cardiovascular disease risk factors among US children are present at levels far below current consumption levels. Strong evidence supports the association of added sugars with increased cardiovascular disease risk in children through increased energy intake, increased adiposity, and dyslipidemia. The committee found that it is reasonable to recommend that children consume ≤25 g (100 cal or ≈6 teaspoons) of added sugars per day and to avoid added sugars for children <2 years of age. Although added sugars most likely can be safely consumed in low amounts as part of a healthy diet, few children achieve such levels, making this an important public health target.
authors.forename: Miriam B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Jill L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kaar
authors.forename: Jean A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: Linda V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Van Horn
authors.forename: Daniel I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Feig
authors.forename: Cheryl A M
authors.initials: CAM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Mahesh J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cruz Munos
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Stavra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Xanthakos
authors.forename: Rachel K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000572:American Heart Association; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose
keywords: AHA Scientific Statements; child; diet; nutritional status; obesity; sugar; sweetening agents