Myth #1: Sugar causes hyperactivity

After a rollicking chorus of the "Happy Birthday song," the presents have been unwrapped and young party guests are in high gear, some moms think "the sugary treats made the kids hyperactive." The notion that sugar makes kids "over-active" has been around for decades. But it doesn't stem from scientific evidence.

A 1995 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed clearly that sugar does not cause hyperactivity - this conclusion remains settled science. Actually, referring to kids' party-time rowdiness as "hyperactivity" is not an accurate description of the behavior. Kids who are truly hyperactive have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, a diagnosable disorder that's recognized by experts. Kids who have ADHD may not be able to control their behavior in the same way other kids can.

So, when the kids get rowdy at a birthday party or around Halloween, blame the excitement, not the cake and treats.

Myth #2: Sugar causes obesity

Maybe you compare your child's weight to a growth chart of ideal weights. Or maybe you've calculated your child's BMI or Body Mass Index -- a calculation designed to gauge body fat. No matter how you assess your kids' weight, there's one thing you need to know. Science does not support the idea that eating sugar causes obesity.

When the National Academy of Sciences completed a review of scientific literature in 2003, it concluded "there is not clear and consistent association between increased intakes of added sugars and BMI."

Myth #3 Sugar causes diabetes

There is no reason to be concerned that a child who eats sugar will get diabetes. Science says diabetes is caused by genetic and lifestyle factors combined, not by eating sugar. But being overweight does increase risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The best prevention? Help your child learn to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Experts agree that it's not necessary for diabetics to avoid sugar in their diets. According to the American Diabetes Association, what affects blood glucose levels the most is the total amount of carbohydrates in the diet. Sugar can be included in your child's diabetic diet as long as it's counted as part of the daily carbohydrate allowance. The ADA offers this advice: Control portion size while swapping some of the carbohydrates in the diet with small amounts of sweets. For information about popular myths about diabetes, visit http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-myths.jsp.

Myth #4: Sugar causes cavities

Folklore points to sugar as the worst thing for kids' teeth. But, science says bacteria in the mouth break down all carbohydrates - both starches and sugars. This normal process forms acids that can leach minerals from tooth enamel. Sticky snacks like raisins and other dried fruits, and starchy foods like breadsticks, cereals and potato chips, linger on teeth and prolong acid production even more than most candies.

Dentists advise reducing between-meal snacks and limiting sweet or sticky foods to mealtimes. Regular brushing and flossing, using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, and regular dentist visits are the smart foundations for controlling cavities.

The reality is this: To lessen cavities, brush regularly, make smart snacking choices-whether sugar, starches, juices, or anything else-- and limit snacking.

The Best Advice: Eat a Balanced Diet

One thing that's not a myth: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other fiber-rich foods -- plus calcium-rich dairy products -- are important centerpieces of your child's diet. And sugar makes many of those healthy foods palatable. A bowl of fresh berries or homemade oatmeal tastes yummy with a sprinkling of brown sugar.

Foods and beverages that contribute calories but few vitamins and minerals should be considered treat foods. But, just because a food contains sugar does not make it a food to be avoided. All-natural sugar, with just 15 calories a teaspoon, can certainly be part of a child's active and healthy lifestyle.

Maybe grandma had it right when she said, "Eat a little of everything on your plate and then go out and play."

For more information on the real facts about sugar, visit http://www.sugar.org/. For a copy of "Should you be concerned about your child eating sugar?" please send a self-addressed stamped envelop to: Children and Sugar, The Sugar Association, 1101 15th Street, NW, Ste. 600, Washington, DC 20005.