A cross-sectional study using NHANES 2003-2004 data to estimate the net caloric impact of replacing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) with alternatives in children and adolescents. Dietary data were collected over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Each additional serving of SSB (8oz) corresponded to a net increase of 106 kcal/d (P<0.001). Increases were also observed for each additional serving of whole milk (169 kcal/d), reduced-fat milk (145 kcal/d) and 100% juice (123 kcal/d) (all P<0.001). Substituting SSBs with water was associated with a decrease in total energy intake: each 1% of beverage replacement was associated with a 6.6 kcal lower total energy intake, which was not negated by compensatory increases in other food and beverages. The authors suggest that replacing all SSBs with water could reduce total energy intake by 235 kcal/d.
May 2009