SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 – A child’s astonished look gave added weight to a vexing issue openly addressed at Naval Hospital Bremerton, September 18, 2025.
As a mother brought her young daughter to Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Pediatric Clinic for an appointment, they happened upon Health Promotion’s Health Fair focus on National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
Part of the annual September theme was a static informational demonstration depicting the number of grams of sugar in lemonade.
“The little girl’s initial wide-eyed expression of surprise at learning there are 27 grams of sugar in lemonade was priceless,” said Patricia Skinner, Health Promotion and Wellness Center department head and event organizer.
The actual measurement of a gram might have been unknown to the youngster, but visually noticing such an amount was telling, which was the desired affect.
“Displaying the amount of sugar in lemonade served as a basic visual aid which young children can see for themselves,” remarked Skinner, noting that breaking down the actual contents of each beverage lends an entire new perspective to a child, as well as parent.
Skinner attests that there are juice drinks which have approximately 12 teaspoons of sugar per bottle. There are some lemonades which have as much, or more, sugar than an average can of cola, which has nearly 40 grams of sugar.
“Juice products labeled with ‘ade,’ ‘drink,’ or ‘punch’ often contain five percent juice or less. The only difference between such products and soda is that they are fortified with Vitamin C,” explained Skinner, adding that even a 16.9-ounce soda which is advertised having ‘no caffeine’ can have 55 grams of sugar
The American Heart Association recommends for children aged 2 to 18, as well as women, to consume no more than 25 grams – approximately six teaspoons – of sugar per day and men to limit to 36 grams, an equivalent of approximately nine grams a day.
“There’s a lot of easily available drinks with so much sugar and very limited or no nutritional value. Just a lot of empty calories,” said Skinner.
Too much sugar is the root of unhealthy issues for many, affirmed Skinner, such as gaining weight, energy lapses and even more frequent dental visits. Statistical evidence indicates that childhood obesity in North American has tripled over the last three decades. There are nearly 20 percent – one in five – of youths between 2-19 years who are considered obese. That’s 14.7 million American children. Obesity related conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and more.
The Health Fair was not all sugar doom and caloric gloom.
Predicated on the principle that prevention is easier, information was shared on the American Academy of Pediatrics 5-2-1-0 campaign.
5-2-1-0 is based on the scientific reasoning of daily incorporating five fruits and vegetables into a person’s eating routine; advocating less than two hours for recreational screen time – television, computer, personal phone – usage daily; encouraging at least one hour of daily physical activity; and replacing sugary drinks with water and low-fat milk.
NHB initially teamed up with Kitsap Public Health District and other civic and community partners in 2013 to advocate the 5-2-1-0 campaign.
According to Skinner, the campaign is a great way for families to promote a healthy lifestyle by focusing on what children eat, reducing sedentary time, increasing activity, and cutting back on sugar drinks.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins and minerals which are important for supporting growth and development and for optimal immune function in children. Skinner even snuck in a few fun fruit facts, such as asparagus come in three different colors of green, white, and purple, and “Strawberries are the only fruit which grows seeds on the outside and a cucumber is a fruit not a vegetable because it has sees in the center,” exclaimed Skinner.
The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that the daily screen time of a child in the U.S. is between two and seven hours a day. That time adds up and can contribute to not only obesity, but lower physical and mental health. The same holds true for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults – late teens to mid-sixties – engage in at least 2.5 hours of moderate intense physical activity such as brisk walking and activities which help to strengthen muscles. The CDC contends children – ages 6 to 17 – should exercise at least one hour every day. Children ages 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day.
The 5-2-1-0 campaign cites regular physical activity as essential for weight management in all ages and helps prevent chronic disease. While many school age children are active, physical activity can decline during adolescence. Children raised in families with active lifestyles tend to stay active as adults rather than other children brought up in families with sedentary lifestyles.
Skinner concurs that promoting health eating and an active lifestyle for children reaps a host of benefits, including keeping skin, teeth and eyes healthy, strengthening bones and supporting muscles, and helping achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
From improved nutrition to increased mobility, from less screen time to limited sugar intake, all family members can follow an established guideline. It’s as easy as five, two, one, zero.
Story by Douglas Stutz
Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton