A study has found that children in America get almost half their daily energy from fast foods. Diets filled with pizza, hamburgers, soda and sweet desserts all have a low nutritional are exposing children at risk for future chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

In children aged 2-18, the primary sources of energy was found to be from fruit juices, with the sugar sweetened beverage contributing to nearly 173 calories.

This is two to five times the recommended daily limit of empty calories.

The findings from the study, published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and calculated solid fats and added sugars using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid Equivalents Database.

Parents with hectic work schedules and busy lifestyles, having little time to prepare wholesome homemade meals for their children are opting for quick meals their children usually love.

The American heart Association recommends parents keep total fat intake between 30 to 35 percent of calories for children 2 to 3 years of age and between 25 to 35 percent of calories for children and adolescents 4 to 18 years of age, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts and vegetable oils.