Researchers followed nearly 1,000 kids from birth through their teenage years to see what happens when families drink fewer sugary beverages and fruit juices. They found that boys who limited sugary drinks to just one per week throughout childhood had slightly smaller waistlines and better insulin levels as teenagers. However, the effects were small, and girls showed almost no difference. This suggests that while reducing sugary drinks might help, it’s not a magic solution on its own. The study shows that what kids drink during childhood could matter for their health as they grow up, but other healthy habits are probably important too.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether drinking fewer sugary drinks and fruit juices during childhood helps prevent weight gain around the belly and keeps blood sugar levels healthy in teenagers.
  • Who participated: 972 teenagers (481 girls and 491 boys) whose mothers reported what drinks they consumed from ages 3 to 10 years old. The families were part of a long-term health study that started before the children were born.
  • Key finding: Boys who drank sugary beverages only once a week instead of more often had waistlines about 2 centimeters smaller and better insulin levels as teenagers. Girls showed almost no difference. The effects were small but measurable.
  • What it means for you: Limiting sugary drinks during childhood may help boys maintain a healthier weight and metabolism, but the benefit is modest. This is one piece of a healthy lifestyle puzzle—exercise, sleep, and overall diet matter too. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for your family.

The Research Details

This study followed real families over many years, starting before children were born and continuing through their teenage years. Mothers filled out detailed food and drink questionnaires when their kids were between 3 and 10 years old, reporting what beverages the children consumed. Then, when the teenagers were older (late adolescence), researchers measured their waist size, belly fat, and blood sugar levels to see if there were any differences based on childhood drink habits.

The researchers used advanced statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect the results, like family income, parents’ weight, and other foods kids ate. They also separated the results by sex (boys and girls) because bodies develop differently. This approach helps isolate the specific effect of sugary drinks rather than blaming other lifestyle factors.

Following kids over many years (called a longitudinal study) is more reliable than just asking teenagers about their past habits, because people often forget or misremember. By tracking actual consumption during childhood and measuring health outcomes years later, researchers can better understand whether early drinking habits truly affect later health. The statistical methods used here are considered gold-standard for this type of research question.

This study has several strengths: it followed nearly 1,000 children over many years, used detailed food records from mothers, and measured actual body composition and blood markers rather than relying on self-reporting. However, the families studied were relatively health-conscious and had low sugary drink consumption overall, so results might differ in populations that drink more sugary beverages. The study was published in a highly respected epidemiology journal, which means it underwent rigorous scientific review.

What the Results Show

The main finding was about insulin resistance, which is how well the body uses insulin to control blood sugar. In boys, limiting sugary drinks to one serving per week throughout childhood was associated with a reduction in insulin resistance scores by 0.28 units. While this sounds small, it represents a meaningful improvement in how their bodies process sugar.

Boys also showed other benefits: their waistlines were about 1.9 centimeters (less than an inch) smaller, they had 0.64 kilograms (about 1.4 pounds) less belly fat, and their fasting blood sugar was about 1 milligram per deciliter lower. These measurements suggest that limiting sugary drinks may help prevent the kind of weight gain that happens around the middle of the body, which is particularly important for health.

However, in girls, the effects were essentially zero—meaning limiting sugary drinks didn’t show measurable benefits for insulin resistance, waist size, or belly fat. This sex difference was surprising and suggests that boys’ bodies may respond differently to sugary drink reduction than girls’ bodies do, though researchers aren’t sure why.

When researchers looked at 100% fruit juice (juice with no added sugar), the effects were very small in both boys and girls. This suggests that even though fruit juice seems healthier than soda, it may have similar effects on the body because it still contains a lot of natural sugar. The study also measured hemoglobin A1C (a marker of long-term blood sugar control) and found no significant differences, suggesting that the benefits of limiting sugary drinks may be more about weight and insulin sensitivity than about overall blood sugar control.

Previous research has shown that sugary drinks are linked to weight gain and metabolic problems in children. This study adds important information by showing that the benefits of limiting these drinks during childhood may appear years later in adolescence. However, the effects are smaller than some researchers expected, which suggests that sugary drinks are one factor among many that influence teenage health. Other studies have found stronger effects in populations that consume much more sugary beverages than this study group did.

The biggest limitation is that the families in this study already drank relatively little sugary beverages compared to the general U.S. population, so the results may not apply to families who drink more soda and sugary drinks. Additionally, the study relied on mothers’ reports of what children drank, which may not be perfectly accurate. The effects were small and some of the confidence intervals (the range of possible true values) were very wide, meaning researchers can’t be completely certain about the exact size of the benefits. Finally, the study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect—it only showed associations, so other unmeasured factors could have influenced the results.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, limiting sugary drinks during childhood appears to have modest benefits, particularly for boys. A reasonable goal would be to limit sugary beverages to no more than one per week, or ideally less. However, this should be part of a broader healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and a diet rich in whole foods. The evidence is moderate, not strong, so don’t expect dramatic changes from this one change alone.

Parents and caregivers of children should pay attention to this research, especially if they have boys. Healthcare providers working with children and adolescents should consider beverage intake as part of metabolic health screening. Teenagers themselves may be interested in understanding how their childhood habits affect their current health. However, if your family already drinks very few sugary beverages, this research suggests you’re already doing well in this area.

The benefits of limiting sugary drinks take years to appear—this study measured outcomes in late adolescence (around ages 17-19) after children had limited drinks throughout their childhood (ages 3-10). You shouldn’t expect to see changes in waist size or blood sugar within weeks or months. Think of this as a long-term investment in health rather than a quick fix.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly sugary beverage servings for each family member, with separate tracking for boys and girls. Set a goal of one or fewer servings per week and monitor progress monthly. Include both soda and sugary drinks, but note that 100% fruit juice appears to have similar effects.
  • Replace one sugary drink per week with water, unsweetened tea, or milk. Start by identifying which day of the week the family typically drinks the most sugary beverages, then make a specific plan to swap that drink for a healthier option. Make it a family challenge rather than singling out one person.
  • Every three months, measure waist circumference at the same location (at the belly button level) and track trends over time. Also note energy levels, hunger patterns, and overall wellbeing. If possible, work with a healthcare provider to check blood sugar markers annually during routine check-ups to see if metabolic health is improving.

This research suggests associations between limiting sugary drinks and certain health markers, but it does not prove that reducing sugary beverages will prevent disease or guarantee health improvements. Individual results vary based on genetics, overall diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your healthcare provider. Before making significant dietary changes for your child, especially if they have diabetes or other metabolic conditions, consult with a pediatrician or registered dietitian. The study population had relatively low sugary drink consumption, so results may differ for families with higher consumption patterns.