From NYtimes website
The October 2010 issue of the American Dietetic Association published a study that examined the primary sources of nutrients in most kids aged 2-18 years old. They found that the major sources of calories are from

– grain desserts — 138 kcal/day
– pizza — 136 kcal/day
– soda — 118 kcal/day

They pointed out that sugar-sweetened beverages that include soda pop and fruit juice contribute 173 kcal per day. They also found out that nearly half of the calories eaten by kids all day come from empty sources, such as solid fat and added sugars.

Empty calorie sources that were found most often in kids’ diets were soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza, and whole milk.

The researchers conclude that the choices marketed to and provided to children must be changed. They need to be provided with fewer unhealthy foods and more healthy foods that provide fewer calories.

Obesity and overweight-related diseases affect many people in our population, and these diseases are starting to impact the health of children in America. Studies publishing the observations of what children are eating highlight the problem with the food system.

Plenty of focus is being directed on the school food service system, and that is legitimate because it is designed to provide children with 1/3 of their days’ nutritional needs while they’re in school. However, what about the other 66% of the kids’ nutrient intake?

Those are items that we adults, parents, and family members of those children control.  How much of what we allow the children to eat has an impact on their overall nutrition? I argue that even the individual times that we indulge children by allowing them to have one cookie contributes to their higher sugar and fat intake.

Of course, the overall impact depends on the child’s health. I am not saying to aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas to prevent kids from eating cookies and desserts, but I am saying to you that you should give your kids healthy foods regularly. If we spend eating 85% of our time eating healthfully and consciously, we can enjoy the 15% of time eating dessert.