A new campaign has been launched, encouraging Kent parents to get “Sugar Smart” and take control of their children’s sugar intake.
The Change4Life campaign follows revelations that four-to-10 year olds consume an estimated 5,500 sugar cubes a year (22kg), weighing the same as an average five-year-old.
Currently, 22.5% of four to five-year-olds are overweight or obese in Kent, increasing to 33% in 10 to 11-year-olds. This means they are more likely to become obese adults who are more prone to a range of serious health problems, such as heart disease, some cancers and Type 2 diabetes. Nationally, there are now 2.5 million people suffering from Type 2 diabetes, 90% of which are overweight or obese.
A new Sugar Smart app has been launched nationally to help parents to see how much sugar there is in everyday food and drink. The free app works by scanning the barcode of products and revealing the amount of total sugar it contains in cubes and grams.
Change4Life has also created an eye-opening short film, which warns parents about the health harms of eating and drinking too much sugar, including becoming overweight and tooth decay. The film brings to life the excessive amount of sugar consumed by the average child per year; currently three times more than the new maximum recommended daily amount.
The campaign reveals the sugar content of everyday food and drink; a 43g chocolate bar contains six cubes of sugar, a 200ml juice drink contains over five cubes and there are nine sugar cubes in a can of cola, instantly taking children up to or over their recommended maximum for the day.
Kent County Council 07 January 2015
It’s time to get Sugar Smart
It’s easier than you think to cut down sugar. Start with these simple tips:
- Download the Sugar Smart app
- Make some sugar swaps
- Have smaller portions
- Eat sugary foods less often
- Try our Sugar Smart recipes
I am a pensioner and was diagnosed as pre diabetic about two years ago. I cut out all known sugars and have generally been able to keep the sugar figure down to 5-7.
Lately that figure has been harder to sustain and I am getting bored with eating the same food all the time.
Can you direct me to a site where I can see alternatives which contain less sugar.
Robin
Although intended for those diagnosed with diabetes the advice on https://www.diabetes.org.uk/ may be helpful; there is information on diet, recipes and food swaps. You might want to join the Forum where you can seek recommendations from those with diabetes. The NHS Better Health website may also offer some help https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/