UK Kids In Harm's Way From Hidden Sugar

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Dentistry
Article Date: 26 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Too much added sugar is putting children's physical and oral health at risk warns the Faculty of Public Health (FPH). With rising obesity levels, the FPH is calling on the food industry to reformulate its products to reduce the amounts of sugar added to our food.

The dangers to health of excess sugar consumption are highlighted in a new health statement from the FPH, the leading public health body representing senior public health professionals. Too much sugar can lead to overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. And eating sugary things too often can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Children are the main cause of concern. Sugary snacks and drinks, and sugar 'hidden' in savoury foods, are contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity and the high level of tooth decay, especially in the poorest families.

There are no recommended 'safe' levels of sugar consumption for children (as there is for salt). But sugar consumption in children outstrips that of adults - and it has been estimated that a child's risk of obesity increases by 60% for every extra sugar-sweetened drink they consume on a daily basis.1

FPH President, Professor Alan Maryon Davis said: "Many people aren't aware of how much hidden sugar there is in cereals, tinned beans, peas and vegetables, and soups and sauces. The food industry should use labelling that children can easily understand, such as the traffic-light scheme, and reformulate their foods to cut right down on added sugar. They've made a good start with salt and fat - sugar is the next logical step."

1. Sugar is the last in FPH's series of statements on nutritional issues (also including Fat and Salt). All statements are available from the Faculty's website: http://www.fph.org.uk

2. The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is an authoritative public health body which maintains and improves standards in the public health workforce to improve the health of the population. For further information visit the FPH website: http://www.fph.org.uk

Reference:

1. World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization. 2003. Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseaes. Report of the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series, no.916 (TRS 916). Geneva. World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization.

Faculty of Public Health

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