Is Your ‘Worry List’ on Target?

As a physician and the father of four small children, I'm very familiar with the worry list that many parents have tucked in the back of their heads. While many things on the list warrant serious concern, when it comes to children's nutrition, a recent national survey* revealed that some of moms’ worries might be a bit off target.

More than 400 moms nationwide were surveyed asking what their biggest nutrition concerns were for their children. It revealed that moms are more concerned about individual ingredients than about their children's overall caloric intake. The survey showed that moms are more concerned with sugar (50%) and high fructose corn syrup (49%) than fat (36%) when deciding what foods to buy. Since total calories typically determine weight gain and even obesity, moms must understand the basic nutritional facts to keep their kids healthy. Only one quarter (26%) of those surveyed said that calories were very important when deciding what foods to buy!

Common Myths

It is important to understand that focusing on avoiding only one ingredient, like high fructose corn syrup, is not the magic answer to keeping your children healthy. In fact, the American Medical Association concluded in June 2008 that “high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners,” and research confirms that there is no difference between how our bodies metabolize high fructose corn syrup versus products such as table sugar or honey. High fructose corn syrup contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients. While consumption of high fructose corn syrup has been dropping in recent years, the rates of obesity and diabetes in the United States continue to rise. In many other parts of the world, obesity and diabetes are on the rise despite having little or no high fructose corn syrup in their consumers’ diets.

No single food or ingredient is the cause of obesity or overweight children. Excessive calories — from whatever source — can promote weight gain in children and adults alike. Singling out ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup is not based on science and has the potential to distract parents from the true causes of obesity and overweight conditions in children. Americans are simply eating more of everything. Excess calories and sedentary lifestyle are having the greatest impact on obesity.

Here are several tips for keeping your children healthy:

Watch the servings. A sugar is a sugar, whether it comes from honey, high fructose corn syrup, table sugar, or fruit juices. Nutritionally they are all the same. Moderation is the key.
Don't skip breakfast. Kids should be encouraged to eat breakfast regularly. Even if time is short, nutritious, on-the-go foods like cereal bars and fruit or milk, are good options.
Practice what you preach. Mom is role model #1 when it comes to healthy eating habits. Take some time each day to teach your kids about balancing a nutritious diet with regular exercise.
Get moving. It's not just too many calories that can lead to overweight and obesity. Active play is good for children's growing bodies. And as they get older, organized sports will help ensure they burn off the calories they’re eating. Something as simple as walking to school once in a while instead of being driven by mom helps increase overall calorie expenditure.

Teaching your children to balance healthy meals with daily exercise is the key to ensuring they lead healthier lives in–and–out of the classroom.

You can learn more about sweetener facts at www.SweetSurprise.com.

* Wakefield, a national polling firm, conducted the survey between August 18 and August 25, 2008 using an email invitation and an online survey. Results were collected from a random sample of 400 mothers ages 18 and older. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population.

Getting the Facts

A Q&A with Dr. James Rippe, MD the Chairman of the Center for Lifestyle Medicine at the University of Central Florida

As a doctor and a father of four small children, I know that parents have questions about some ingredients used in foods today. It is important to understand that focusing on avoiding a single ingredient, like high fructose corn syrup, is not the magic answer to keeping your children healthy. In fact, the American Medical Association concluded in June 2008 that "high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners," and research confirms that there is no difference between how our bodies metabolize high fructose corn syrup versus products such as table sugar or honey.

Here are some answers to common questions about high fructose corn syrup.

Does the body process high fructose corn syrup differently than table sugar?

No. Nutritionally, table sugar and high fructose corn syrup are the same. Table sugar, honey and high fructose corn syrup all contain almost equal portions of fructose and glucose. Fructose is a simple sugar commonly found in fruits. Glucose is one of the simplest forms of sugar that serves as a building block for most carbohydrates, which provides energy to the body. Once these sweeteners are absorbed into the blood stream, they appear to be metabolized by the body in the same way.

Does high fructose corn syrup uniquely contribute to obesity and diabetes?

No. The American Medical Association concluded in June 2008 that "high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners," and research confirms that there is no difference between how our bodies metabolize high fructose corn syrup versus products such as table sugar or honey. Like table sugar and honey, high fructose corn syrup has four calories per gram.

Lots of factors can contribute to obesity. But mostly it's a matter of taking in more calories than you use — from any source. In many parts of the world, including Australia, Mexico and Europe, obesity is on the rise despite having little or no high fructose corn syrup in their diets.

As far as diabetes goes, sugar and high fructose corn syrup have largely the same effect on insulin production. Like all foods, sweeteners should be enjoyed in moderation.

Do beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup make you hungrier than those sweetened with sugar?

No. No credible research has demonstrated that high fructose corn syrup affects hunger differently than sugar. In fact, several studies suggest there is no difference in feelings of fullness between table sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

Is high fructose corn syrup sweeter than table sugar?

No. Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are equally sweet. When high fructose corn syrup was developed, it was specifically formulated to provide sweetness equivalent to sugar so that consumers would not notice any difference in taste.

Is high fructose corn syrup natural?

Yes. High fructose corn syrup is made from corn, a natural grain product. High fructose corn syrup contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients or color additives and, when made using its most common production process, meets the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) requirements for use of the term "natural."

Does high fructose corn syrup have more calories than table sugar or honey?

No. All three sweeteners have the same number of calories per gram – four. So as you would with any sweetener, please enjoy in moderation.

You can learn more by visiting www.SweetSurprise.com