Sugar education to be part of core school subjects
Gabriella Jozwiak
Monday, January 14, 2019
Children are set to study sugar consumption in English and maths lessons, as part of the government's latest strategy to tackle childhood obesity.
Public Health England (PHE) revealed the average 10-year-old has consumed 18 years' worth of sugar - an excess of 2,800 sugar cubes each year - according to government data.
With more than a third (34 per cent) of children leaving primary school overweight or obese, PHE hopes that by integrating sugar awareness into lessons, children will be encouraged to make healthier choices.
The Change4Life campaign is encouraging teachers to download the teaching resources, which are aimed at reception class, and Key Stages 1 and 2.
They follow the characters of Sugar Smart World through PowerPoints, pupil-led activities, recipes and problem-solving tasks.
The campaign is also providing schools with booklets for children to take home that include stickers and activities to get parents involved with the strategy.
PHE chief nutritionist Alison Tedstone, said educating children on the importance of a healthy balanced diet in their early years could help them to avoid serious illness in future, such as type two diabetes and tooth decay.
"By making simple swaps each day, children can have healthier versions of everyday foods and drinks, while significantly reducing their sugar intake," said Tedstone.
The announcement follows the launch of a public consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care, on whether to place more restrictions on how retailers promote food and drink that is high in fat, salt and sugar.
Public health minister Steve Brine said businesses had a role to play in helping children and families eat healthier options like fruit and vegetables.
"Preventing ill health is critical to our Long Term Plan for the NHS, and I want to do everything in my power to keep people healthy for longer. This must start with the health and nutrition of our children." he said.
"Tackling childhood obesity means working together across society, with industry, public services and families all having a role to play.
"All too often we hear people say less healthy foods are cheaper and easier but that is simply not the case."
In September 2018, the government announced that five local authorities would receive funding to pioneer innovative efforts to tackle childhood obesity.
Dr Max Davie, officer for health promotion at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), cautiously welcomed the policy as going "some way" towards tackling record obesity levels.
"Sugar is in so many of the products children love but the quantity of it, along with a clear translation of how that quantity relates to their recommended daily intake, remains unclear on much of the packaging," said Davie.
He added: "Tackling obesity isn't something that can happen overnight. It requires action from a number of different sectors.
"The government is currently consulting on a number of bold policies which will make a big difference if converted to policy. However, these policies alone will need to be reinforced by education to have the full impact required.
"Lessons like those provided by Change4Life, will go some way towards supporting this."