In the children studied, those who consumed more sugar on an everyday basis had signs of decreased beta cell function, implying they were heading toward type 2 diabetes. Sugars included glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose and galactose found in food and drink products.
Researchers further broke down the sources of sugar in children's diet. About 40 percent of the sugar children consumed came from sugary drinks, such as soda or sweetened juices. Moreover, children drank 2.5 servings of sugar-sweetened beverages, the equivalent of more than 1.5 soda cans, daily. It makes sense, then, that researchers found that children who drank more sugary drinks, specifically, had decreased beta cell function.
The group's previous research shows that Latino children are more likely to be insulin-resistant than are white children, regardless of how fat they are-a finding most likely linked to genetic issues.
"Clearly, this is a group that faces a higher risk for metabolic problems," says Jaimie N. Davis, Ph.D., R.D., research associate at the USC Institute for Prevention Research and the study's lead author. "But findings suggest that even modest reductions in sugar intake might preserve beta cell function and prevent metabolic disorders in these children. Public health among Latinos may benefit from interventions to reduce simple-sugar consumption."
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Contact: Kathleen O'Neil
koneil@usc.edu
323-442-2830
University of Southern California
21-Nov-2005