Parents warned about childrens sugar consumption

A new health campaign is warning parents that children need to reduce the amount of sugar they are being fed.
The Change4Life campaign from Public Health England (PHE) came after a Netmums survey revealed two-thirds of parents are concerned about the amount of sugar in their children’s diets.
The campaign provides tips to parents on replacing sugary items with sugar-free alternatives, such as swapping ice cream for yoghurt.
Health guidelines
10 per cent of a person’s energy intake should be made up of sugar, according to health guidelines, but this was contradicted by data released in December by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
They found that more than one in five children in reception class was classified as overweight or obese. Over a third of those in year six, meanwhile, were overweight or obese in 2013/2014.
Consistent high consumption of sugar has been linked with increased rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease later in life.
Excessive sugar can also damage teeth, with tooth decay deducted by the Epidemiology Programme for England as one of the most common reasons for children aged five to nine being admitted to hospital in 2012-2013.
“Reducing sugar intake is important for the health of our children both now and in the future. We are all eating too much sugar and the impact this has on our health is evident,” said Professor Kevin Fento, national director of health and wellbeing at PHE.
“This campaign is about taking small steps to address this. We know from past campaigns that making simple swaps works and makes a real difference.”