HEALTH

Utah kids drinking more sugar than the national average

Mar 16, 2023, 3:00 PM

Utah sure does love its soda shops and sugar-added drinks, and recent data shows that more kids are...

File: Three-year-old Samantha Krass (L) and her brother, 18-month-old Devin, enjoy their slurpees at a 7-Eleven store (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah sure does love its soda shops and sugar-added drinks, and recent data shows that more kids are picking up the sugar habit. 

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, on average, 57% of children up to five years old are drinking sugary beverages at least once a week. 

The Beehive state is just above the national average with 66% of kids consuming sugar-added drinks once a week. 

Salt Lake City School District Dietician Brianna Hardisty believes these sugary habits are picked up from parents and family members. 

“You have parents going to soda shops and you know a lot of kids’ eating habits are what’s going on at home,” Hardisty said.  “So if you have parents that are stopping at Swig every day for their diet Coke, that’s going to carry over.” 

Hardisty said that her school district regulates what is sold in vending machines, requiring only diet or zero-sugar drinks in the machines.  

But that doesn’t stop children from bringing drinks from home. 

“I was serving lunch at a school and a child came through and picked up hot lunch, but then also had like a 20-ounce soda,” Hardisty said. “So, I think if anything it’s usually coming from home, not what’s being served at schools.

But Utah kids aren’t eating enough of these

The same study found that Utah children are not eating their recommended daily dose of fruits and vegetables. More than half, 52% of children aren’t eating enough vegetables, and  28% of children are not eating the recommended daily allowance of fruit. 

Hardisty recommends making healthy diet choices in front of your children. 

Modeling healthy choices can trickle down into a child’s decision-making process. Another way to encourage healthy eating habits is to involve children in the grocery shopping and cooking process. 

“When you’re talking to kids, talk about adding things to your diet rather than subtracting. Not saying ‘you shouldn’t eat that,’ but saying ‘let’s add more fruits and vegetables into our diet,'” Hales said. “Focus on adding, not necessarily subtracting.”

Related reading:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are on the rise across the U.S....

Michelle Lee

Simple ways to keep respiratory illnesses away

Let’s Get Moving Host Maria Shilaos spoke with Nicole Henry with CVS to learn what we can do to protect ourselves from respiratory illnesses.

2 days ago

Kaysville City officials confirmed that the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District had added water ...

Simone Seikaly

Kaysville City tells residents why water smells like chlorine

Weber officials recently added water from groundwater wells, which, because of extra processing, created the chlorine smell.

5 days ago

wegovy, one of many weight loss drugs...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Popular weight loss drugs may play a factor in vision loss, review shows

Ingredients in popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro may play a role in vision complications, such as eye stroke.

5 days ago

The Weber County Animal Shelter reported it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs after a canine parvov...

Simone Seikaly

Parvovirus outbreak leads to euthanizations at Weber County Animal Services

The Weber County Animal Shelter said it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs that had been vaccinated but contracted parvovirus anyway.

7 days ago

This image shows a chicken coop and garden at the home of Sarah Penny in Knoxville, Tenn., in May 2...

Associated Press

Soaring egg prices are piquing interest in backyard chickens

Thinking about backyard chickens as egg prices soar? Think hard, especially in light of the bird flu outbreak.

7 days ago

A doctor uses a hand-held Doppler probe on a pregnant woman to measure the heartbeat of the fetus o...

Don Brinkerhoff

AI model could help predict dangers in unborn babies

Researchers have developed a new AI model that may help doctors assess the risk a fetus has for serious complications like stillbirth.

8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Utah kids drinking more sugar than the national average