Studies offer warning — and hope — about nutrition for youths The opening line of a McGuire Sisters' pop hit of the 1950s went like this: "Sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening, sugar at suppertime… " According to researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway, far too many teenagers today are taking that advice literally, and the long-term effects on their physical and mental health are just beginning to be uncovered. The Norwegian researchers examined the eating habits — including intake of soft drinks with sugar — of 5,000 teenagers.The participants in the study — all ages 15 and 16 — were then given a questionnaire designed to gauge their mental well-being.The researchers found a strong correlation between soft drink consumption and mental health problems.This association remained significant after adjustment for social, behavioral and food-related disorders. "The study revealed that hyperactivity and distress were more prevalent in teenagers who consumed an inordinate amount of sugar-based drinks — with those who drank four or more soft drinks a day displaying increased symptoms," said Dr. Larry S.Arbeitman, a wellness chiropractor whose family wellness practice is located in Marlboro. "These findings emphasize the need for young people to limit their consumption of sugar — especially the sugar-loaded soft drinks that so many teens crave," added Arbeitman, whose standard course of care includes providing each one of his patients with a personal wellness coach who can assist in general nutritional planning. Not all the news is bad for today's teens. The University of Minneapolis School of Public Health studied 2,761 high school seniors to explore the correlation between multivitamin supplement use and lifestyle decisions.The study — published in the December 2006 edition of The Journal of the American Diabetic Association — established that teenagers who take multivitamin supplements are more likely to exhibit a healthier attitude toward life including a greater willingness to exercise and eat more nutritious foods. "Vitamins are not magic pills. But, it was clearly evident in the study that vitamin users were more likely to be involved in school and extracurricular sports, they watched less television per day, and they were less likely to be smokers or to be overweight," noted Arbeitman. "This is not rocket science. If you want to lead a healthier life, both physically and mentally, the equation is simple. Be fit. Eat right.Think well. It's a credo that applies to people of all ages and walks of life," concluded Arbeitman. Dr. Larry S.Arbeitman is founder of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth, LLC, located in Marlboro.All active patients and their immediate family are provided with their personal professional wellness coach paid for by the practice.To learn more about "Discover Wellness" coaching and Dr.Arbeitman's wellness practice, contact 732-617-9355 (WELL) or visit www.uccofmonmouth.com/wellness_c oach.html.