Posted 3/5/2012 by UNMC Physicians
Julie Nieveen, APRN at UNMC Physicians Eagle Run clinic, says water is a better alternative to the sports and energy drinks children think will boost their performance in sports and other activities.
Little League Softball. Select Basketball. Pee Wee Football.
Organized sports programs have become the mainstay of physical activity for today’s school children. This, coupled with the rise of sports and energy drinks being made available in schools, has led to our youth consuming loaded beverages both on and off the court. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, sports and energy drink manufacturers have reported a five percent increase in market share from 2004 to 2006 in U.S. schools.
The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine recently released a statement on organized sports for children and adolescents, including guidelines for children in sports. Under the safety heading was a reminder that children need to stay hydrated during games and practices and that water, not sports drinks, is the recommended source of hydration.
“Younger patients in our clinic think that energy drinks will boost their performance, when really a balanced diet and plenty of water will help them achieve better health in the long run,” said Kaye Carstens, MD, medical director, UNMC Physicians Eagle Run clinic.
Within the last few years, the Eagle Run clinic has seen a greater need for patient education on the harmful effects of sports and energy drinks. According to medical journal Pediatrics, the overuse of caffeinated energy drinks have been known to cause heart palpitations, seizures and even strokes in children.
In addition to containing high amounts of caffeine and sugar, energy and sports drinks contain high amounts of minerals and electrolytes. Julie Nieveen, APRN-NP at Eagle Run says that the increased levels of sodium found in electrolytes are not necessary for children’s overall health because they already get enough sodium through a balanced diet.
Dr. Carstens advises parents of children who come to the Eagle Run clinic to monitor the amount of water needed with the level of activity and the weather.
“If a child or teen is training for two hours in the heat of summer, he or she may drink up to 16 eight ounce glasses of water in a day,” said Carstens. “Given cooler weather and lighter activity, less water is needed.”
Comments
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John said:
5/3/2012 2:04 AM
In all honesty, if you need even one a day prbaobly means your diet isn't balanced U're not getting natural energy from proper nutrition. U may even be addicted to the caffene. Try weening yourself off the stuff. Think about it ..anything that artificially makes your heart beat fast can't be good.
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Xandy said:
9/4/2012 8:06 PM
Shiver me tbimers, them's some great information.
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Rosalinda said:
9/14/2012 5:46 PM
Action requires knwolgede, and now I can act!