After my October 26, 1999 column on fruit juices causing restlessness in children, I've gotten into a number of conversations about juice with parents and healthcare providers. Most were unaware of another downside of fruit juices in children - these empty calories leave children shorter (yet heavier) than their peers. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children who drank more than 12 ounces of juice per day became measurably fatter while their height-growth faltered. Most of us would like to be a bit taller and a bit slimmer. I can't think of many who would prefer the shorter and fatter option.

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