Children in the UK exceed the maximum recommended sugar intake for an 18-year-old by the time they have reached their tenth birthday, according to the Public Health England (PHE). This is based on their total sugar consumption from the age of two.
The figure comes after the new Change4Life campaign launches on January 2nd, 2019. The campaign comes to inform families to cut back on sugar to help tackle growing rates of childhood obesity. Children’s sugar intake has declined in years but not as much as hoped; children are still consuming around 8 cubes of excess sugar cubes each day this is around 2,800 excess sugar cubes per year.
PHE said pudding tax should be considered if companies fail to reduce the amount of sugar in their products. The organisation also wants to help families cut back on obesity, tooth decay and other illnesses that are as a result of excess sugar. Choosing lower-sugar food and drink can help make an impact on children’s diet and help them get the healthy amount of sugar.
The recommended maximum daily sugar intake for children aged four to six ins five cubes or 19g. For children aged seven to ten this rises six cubes (24g) and up to seven cubes (30g) for children aged 11 or over.
PHE reports that severe obesity in 10 to 11-year-olds have now reached an all time high. Overweight or obese children are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Children are increasing their risk of heart disease and some cancers by over long use of excess sugars; many will already have or are developing type 2 diabetes. PHE revealed that a third of primary school children are leaving obese or overweight.
Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at PHE, said:
“Children are consuming too much sugar, but parents can take action now to prevent this building up over the years.
To make this easier for busy families, Change4Life is offering a straightforward solution – by making simple swaps each day, children can have healthier versions of everyday foods and drinks, while significantly reducing their sugar intake.”
Families are being encouraged to look for the Change4Life ‘Good Choice’ badge in shops or use their free Food Scanner app to help your big food that is lower in sugar.
PHE suggest that parents can try swapping:
- A higher-sugar yoghurt for a lower sugar one, to help half sugar cube intake
- A sugary juice drink for a no sugar drink
- A higher-sugar breakfast cereal for lower sugar cereal.
By doing these swaps everyday could remove around 2,500 sugar cubes per year from a child’s diet.
