Opinion of new policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics on use/misuse of fruit juice

[Janice Phelan]

I'm sure others have pointed out that item #1 says that "Juice should be introduces" when I think you wanted to say "should NOT be introduced".

Don't have "scientific data" to offer. My "gut RD feelings" are that expressing limitations on the number of onces of juice consumed by children may not be a good idea. Would rather combine #3 and #4.

"Children should be encouraged to limit intake of fruit juice and eat whole fruits to meet the remainder of their recommended daily fruit intake. Recommended limiting intake of fruit juice to 4 to 6 oz/d for children 1 to 6 years old. For children 7 to 18 years, recommend juice intake be limited to 8 to 12 oz or 2 servings per day."



Janice A. Phelan, MS, RD, LD
Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Missouri Department of Health
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-6269 or 888-435-1464 
FAX: 573-526-3679
phelaj at mail.health.state.mo.us
http://www.health.state.mo.us/nutritionservices/eatforhealth.html#mnn
"Eat for health, it's all about you, and your family too."


>>> HLANGILLE at wechealthunit.org 06/22/01 12:55PM >>>


Hello all.

This is my first message or question to this list serve.  Please bear with
my ramblings....   


My colleagues and I have been asked to respond to the policy statement
issued recently by the American Academy of Pediatrics (and others) on the
"Use and Misuse of Fruit Juice in Pediatrics" (Pediatrics, vol 107, no. 5,
May 2001, pp. 1210-1213).

I am preparing a synopsis of our key findings and recommendations of issues
related to the use (and misuse) of fruit juice in infants and children.  As
part of our search for information, we are asking for help from our public
health colleagues.

The policy statement can be found at www.aap.org/policy 
<http://www.aap.org/policy>.  The recommendations are provided here as an
attachment if you haven't seen them yet.

We would like your help with ANY of the following issues.  Please email or
fax a copy of any information that you can share with us.

	1.	What is your opinion of the use/misuse of fruit juice?  In
particular, do you believe that fruit juice is consumed in excess within a
significant portion of the population?  Further to that, do you believe that
excess fruit juice can lead to obesity in infants and children?  From what I
have research, there is not a lot of research.  (Ive read Dennison et al.,
1997 which seems to have gotten the most attention and weight as a basis for
the A.A.P. recommendations).

	2.  Do you believe that it is appropriate to recommend a limit of
4-6 oz for 1-6 yrs old and 12 oz for 7-18 yrs old?  Does your opinion vary
depending on the population ie. general population vs. individual patient?

	3.	What is your opinion on the use of fruit juice vs. fruit
drink in terms of calories, amount of sugar, amount of vitamins/minerals?  

	4.	Do you know of any published reports about the association
between drinking fruit juice and the prevalence/risk of dental caries?  I am
looking for information specifically related to offering juice in an open
cup vs. a covered "sippy" cup.

Any information on any of these questions would really be appreciated..  If
you would rather discuss it over the phone, that would be great.  I'd be
happy to call you.  

Thanks again,



Heather Langille, RD., M.A. (Health Education)
  
Nutritionist
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
1005 Ouellette Ave.
Windsor, ON
N9A 4J8
519-258-2146 ext 1235
fax 519-258-7288
hlangille at wechealthunit.org 

 <<Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.doc>>