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American toddlers consume too much added sugar

A new study suggests children in the US begin consuming added sugar at a very young age and that many toddlers’ sugar intake exceeds the maximum amount recommended for adults.

The study found 99% of a representative sample of US toddlers age 19-23 months consumed an average of just over seven teaspoons of added sugar on a given day –more than the amount in a Snicker's bar.

Sixty per cent of children were found to consume added sugar before age one.

Added sugar consumption has been linked with obesity, dental caries, asthma and risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Eating foods with added sugar also can influence a child's food preferences, potentially leading to less healthy food choices later in life, researchers say.

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