Amid increasingly sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, obesity has been on the rise in America for quite some time. Health and medical professionals continue to see this as individual states note upticks in the general population's body mass index (BMI).

Adults and children alike are putting on more pounds than they should, therefore increasing their risks of suffering from serious, yet avoidable, health problems.

To maintain a healthy weight, people should exercise, consume at least a moderately nutritional diet, and get enough sleep each night. Depending on one's lifestyle and already engrained habits, this is often easier said than done.

As more children endure habitual weight gain, one new study indicates fruit juice as an underlying factor.

How fruit juice fosters weight gain in kids

Data from JAMA Pediatrics reveals that higher body mass index directly correlates with children and adults consuming 100% fruit juice. This may come as a shock to many people, as fruit juice has long been viewed as one of the healthier beverage options.

Kids younger than 11 experience higher BMIs, following fruit juice ingestion, compared to their older counterparts. The study also revealed that children 8 years old and younger registered the most severe BMIs after having fruit juice.

In light of this, JAMA Pediatrics believes just eight ounces of this drink each day is too much for kids below six to consume. Even modest BMI increases can eventually add up, leaving children more susceptible to being overweight or obese in the years leading up to adulthood.

Parents, rather than allowing their kids to drink fruit juice, hence remain advised to give their children whole fruits.

The dangers of children being overweight or obese

Medical data repeatedly indicates that children who struggle with being overweight or obese remain more prone to the following health issues at younger ages:

• Premature death
• Diabetes
• Cardiac troubles
• Cardiovascular problems

Thankfully, limiting fruit juice consumption is just one of many ways parents can help spare their kids from the aforementioned challenges. Making sure children get regular exercise, eat nutritious meals, and see healthy lifestyle choices modeled for them at home all play a role in lowering their susceptibility to medical complications.