U.S. children and teens have cut down on added sugars but still eat too much, according to a new report.
"Added sugar consumption is high among children and teens," says Cynthia L. Ogden, PhD, an epidemiologist with the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, which issued the report.
About 16% of total calories eaten by children and teens are from added sugars, Ogden found.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting intake of ''discretionary'' calories, including added sugars and solid fats, to a total of 5% to 15% daily.
The new report is published as an NCHS Data Brief.
Ogden examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It is a government survey that assesses the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population.
