Beverage consumption and risk of obesity among Native Americans in Arizona.

Native Americans face some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the world. Despite numerous education programs to reduce obesity among Native Americans, little attention has been paid to reducing fructose, particularly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages. Considerable data indicate that energy from beverages does not displace energy from other foods throughout the day, often leading to energy imbalance, and numerous studies have documented that beverages are a leading contributor to energy intakes among Native Americans. Prevention programs that target pregnant women and parents of infants and very young children are necessary to halt the epidemic of obesity among Native Americans; one approach may be by promoting sugar-free beverages.