US reduces calories

US calorie consumption from sugar-sweetened beverages has fallen most for those aged 2-19 in the past ten years.

The average was 223 calories a day in 1999/2000 and dropped to 155 calories a day in 2009/10 – a reduction of more than 30%.

There was also a decline for those aged 20-39 and over 60, but no change for adults between 40 and 59.

Nevertheless, sugar-sweetened beverages still account for 11% of the calories consumed by teenage boys.

These latest figures come from a sample of more than 50,000 people for the Government’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.