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NPCH reports that kids in low-income families are drinking too much juice

For more than 10 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended limiting fruit juice to one serving per day for children 1-6 years old.  Drinking less juice helps prevent health problems such as childhood obesity and early tooth decay. The most recent National Poll on Children’s Health report showed that many young children are drinking much more juice than recommended.

The Poll asked parents of young children about their kids’ juice habits. Overall, 35% of parents reported that their young children have two or more cups of juice per day – twice the recommended amount.

The juice problem is worse for children in lower-income families. Of parents whose household income is less than $30,000 annually, 49% reported that their children drink two or more cups of juice per day. In comparison, only 23% of parents with household incomes of $100,000 or more reported that their children drink two or more cups of juice per day.

The question of whether to give juice to young children can be a difficult one for parents. As with most things, the key is moderation. Findings from this National Poll indicate that most parents report their young children drink only a limited amount of fruit juice. It is important for parents to be aware of recommendations from experts, in order to keep their kids healthy.