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Lowering salt intake may be key to lowering childhood obesity rates

Posted at 4:59 PM, Dec 10, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-10 17:42:25-05

(WTVR) — A new study in the Journal Pediatrics suggests a key way to reduce childhood obesity could be to limit your child’s salt intake.

The study looked at 4,000 children in Australia and found kids who ate more salt also had more cravings for sugary-sweetened drinks like soda and juice.

The children who drank more than one sugary drink a day were 26-percent more likely to become obese.

Pediatricians say you should read labels to monitor the amount of salt and sugar your child is eating.

They also suggest you should be a good role model.

Doctors say you shouldn’t drink soda, while forcing your child to drink water instead.