Smarter Beverage Choices Make Big Difference

A small study, the results of which werepublished in the March issue of Pediatrics,showed that teens who switched fromhigh-calorie drinks to noncaloric beverageslost a pound a month over a 6-monthperiod. Researchers at Children's HospitalBoston had 103 teenagers switch to anoncaloric beverage for a half year andparticipate in discussions with researchersabout their drink choices. Teensin the control group did not change whatthey were drinking, which included high-caloriedrinks. The heaviest group of teensin the noncaloric drink group lost theequivalent of one pound a month. Theresults were significant enough to warranta larger study, which will be sponsored bythe National Institute of Diabetes andDigestive and Kidney Diseases and theCharles H. Hood Foundation. Lead authorCara Ebbeling, the hospital's codirector ofobesity research, pointed to the simplicityof the small study: "Most interventions ?take a very comprehensive approach,but?we targeted one behavior."

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.