Just heard on the radio that "doctors" have said that children under 6 months should not be given fruit juice and older children should receive only 4-6 oz. per day. They have determined that fruit juice leads to tooth decay, malnutrtion and obesity.

No, really?

Karen

I wonder which doctors these are and the studies they've based their results on?

Just another bit of info to file away that says the medical establishment, in general, doesn't really have much of a clue when it comes to nutrition. There's an article posted here somewhere that says increasing numbers of Americans are getting fed up with the contradictory dietary advice they're being given - well, it's no wonder!

Rachel

A manufacturer didn't take much time to encounter and calim the opposite!

Notice funding by Gerber Products Company
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Tuesday May 8, 6:10 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Novartis Consumer Health
Research Shows 100% Juice Can Play a Role in a Healthy Diet
Research Indicates Drinking 100% Juice Does Not Lead to Overweight or Short Stature in Children; First Long-Term Study Revisits Juice Controversy
SUMMIT, N.J., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent years, health professionals and researchers have debated the potential effects of juice intake among young children. The first long-term study of juice intake now indicates that 100 percent juice is not associated with overweight or short stature in young children. The study also showed that children's juice intake significantly decreased as children got older, while their intake of other less nutritious beverages increased.

The research, ``A longitudinal study of children's juice intake and growth: The juice controversy revisited,'' was published in the April issue of the Journal of The American Dietetic Association (JADA). Conducted over four years, the study included 72 children (boys and girls), whose mothers were interviewed by registered dietitians seven times when the children were ages two to six years.

``As the incidence of childhood obesity continues to increase, it is important for health professionals and parents to understand the effects of diet and lifestyle on weight gain,'' said Jean D. Skinner, Ph.D., R.D., co-author of the study and professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee College of Human Ecology. ``Our research consistently illustrated that drinking 100 percent juice does not lead to overweight or short stature in children. Compared to national standards for growth, the children in this study were developing normally.''

Using the interviews with mothers, researchers analyzed the dietary data for beverage intake, including 100 percent juice, milk, carbonated beverages and other drinks, such as lemonade, tea and juice drinks, during the four-year period. At each of the seven interviews, the children's height and weight were measured; 100 percent juice intake was not associated with children's height or weight.

In addition, the study shows that children's juice intake decreased significantly between ages two and six years, from 6.8 to 3.6 ounces/day on average. During the same time, intake of carbonated beverages and other drinks increased from 1.7 to 3.8 ounces/day and 2.7 to 6.2 ounces/day, respectively. However, children's milk intake remained relatively constant throughout the four years.

``Based on our research, health professionals should be encouraged to recommend 100 percent juices as important beverages in a child's diet,'' said Betty Ruth Carruth, Ph.D., R.D., co-author of the study and professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee College of Human Ecology. ``Research continues to show that 100 percent juices can play a role in a healthy diet by contributing vitamin C and other nutrients not available in other beverages such as carbonated drinks or tea.''

``When parents are searching for healthy beverage choices for children over one year, milk should always be at the top of their shopping list,'' said Cathie Squatrito, M.S., R.D., director, medical marketing, Gerber Products Company. ``In addition to milk, 100 percent juices also deliver the important nutrients growing children need, and help promote healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.''

Squatrito offered several general recommendations for parents as they serve 100 percent juices to their growing children, including:


-- Always choose 100 percent juice products, such as Gerber® fruit and
vegetable juices

-- Choose juices packed with nutrients
-- All Gerber juices deliver 100 percent of the daily requirement for
vitamin C; Gerber fruit and veggie juices are an excellent source of
vitamin A; and Gerber juices with yogurt are a good source of
calcium.
-- Gerber Graduates® juices also are fortified with calcium for
growing toddlers, and each serving provides a good source of calcium
and 100 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin C.


The study is part of an ongoing research program funded by Gerber Products Company. Parents can contact the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 1-800-4-GERBER or www.gerber.com for more information about Gerber products and healthy feeding recommendations for growing children.

Gerber Products Company is owned by Novartis Consumer Health. Novartis (NYSE: NVS - news) is a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health. In 2000, the Group's ongoing businesses achieved sales of $17.2 billion and invested approximately $2.4 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 67,600 people and operates in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com .

CONTACT: Sheldon Jones of Novartis Consumer Health, 908-598-7624; or Michelle Fricke of Golin/Harris International, 312-729-4468

Oh you know, the same doctors that hang around with "them" and "they".

Karen