Parents are advised to limit the sugar intake of their children to combat childhood obesity, nutritional experts say. Subsequently, they are proposing to give only water every meal time and avoid giving sugary drinks like sodas and juices. The proposal was made by Public Health England in its aim of cutting off the nation's sugar intake.
Childhood obesity is a very alarming condition the world is facing. As a matter of fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In the 2012 survey, more than one third of children worldwide are obese and overweight.
The American Heart Association recently released new guidelines in limiting the amount of sugar that is considered acceptable in a healthy diet. Children who are 4-8 years old with a daily caloric intake of 1,600 calories should consume not more than 3 teaspoons a day. Preschoolers who have a daily caloric intake of 1,400 calories should not take more than 4 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
According to Proferssor Susan Jebb, chairman of the Government's responsibility deal with the food and drinks industry said that sugary drinks are culprits in childhood obesity because children and even adults usually consume them in addition of their daily caloric intake, and not in replacement of them.
Parents are advised to stick with water that has no calories than low fat drinks. Furthermore, they are advised to stop buying sodas and fizzy drinks. However, they can be given to them as an occasional treat.
According to Public Health England, it will basically boil down to the parents. If they implement the water after meals rule, they can surely prevent childhood obesity. After the kids are weaned from sugary drinks, it will be easier for them to drink water until they grow up.
