Soidq Ojuroungbe
Children who develop a taste for sugar-laden foods like biscuits, cakes, chocolates, and other sweetened drinks may be setting themselves up for a lifetime of health problems, experts have warned.
The health experts warned that high levels of sugar found in these foods can trigger an addictive response in the brain, leading to cravings, overeating, and a host of health issues.
According to them, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems are all linked to excessive sugar consumption, and childhood is a critical time for establishing healthy eating habits.
The United Nations Children’s Fund states that almost 40 million children under the age of five globally are overweight.
The number is significantly higher among children aged five to 19 years as it is estimated that 340 million of them are overweight.
The American Heart Association raised the alarm that there is growing evidence that consuming sugar can lead to changes in brain function and behaviour that are similar to what is seen in drug addiction.
The AHA in a statement published on its website recommended limiting added sugars to no more than six percent of calories each day.
The AHA’s recommendations focus on all added sugars, without singling out any particular types, such as high-fructose corn syrup.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts, consisting of a paediatrician and a public health physician stressed that parents need to be aware of the dangers of sugar addiction, and they need to take steps to prevent it from happening.
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Ede Ebele said excess sugar consumption by children under the age of five can have serious health consequences, both in the short and long term.
She explained that excess sugar consumption can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels, which can cause headaches, irritability, and mood swings.
She added that it can also cause weight gain, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and dental problems like cavities in the long term.
She added, “Parents need to be aware of the dangers of sugar addiction, and they need to take steps to prevent it from happening. This means carefully monitoring their children’s diets and limiting the amount of sugar they consume at home and school.
“It is also important to find healthy alternatives to sugary snacks that children will enjoy. And finally, parents need to talk to their children about the risks of sugar addiction and help
“The long-term effects of sugar addiction can be especially concerning. Children who develop a taste for sugary foods at an early age may have difficulty breaking the habit later in life.
“This can lead to a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits and a higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
“In addition, children who become addicted to sugar may find it difficult to enjoy other, healthier foods. They may come to rely on sugar as a source of comfort and pleasure, making it difficult to change their habits later in life.
“Sugar addiction is not just a physical problem, it’s also a psychological one. Children who become addicted to sugar may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. This is because sugar can act like a drug in the brain, stimulating the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine.
“When these chemicals are withdrawn, children may experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability and cravings. In the long run, this can lead to emotional problems and a reduced quality of life.”
Similarly, a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Omotayo Adesiyun, said giving young children a lot of sugar can become a habit that will be difficult to break.
Adesiyun, who is a Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, noted that eating a lot of sugar-containing foods might cause dental damage and excessive weight growth in children, among other medical issues.
While stressing that the body needs sugar for energy, especially the brain cells, the paediatrician urged parents to replace sugar-laden foods with natural foods like fruits.
She added, “There are issues resulting in excess sugar intake, everyone agrees, but some people think it is an overkill to call it an addiction
“Let’s talk generally about sugar first. The body needs sugar for energy, particularly the brain cells. The body can get sugar from various sources, sugar, honey, or even natural sugar in fruits. Even if you don’t take any of these, the body will get sugar from breaking down carbohydrates in most foods.
“The only difference is when we take sugar directly from sweets, chocolate, drinks, etc, it increases our blood sugar fast. But when we eat, or swallow, it will need to be digested first so it will raise our blood sugar slowly
“It has been found that when we take sugar, it makes our brains feel good
“People are worried about giving young children a lot of sugar because it becomes a habit that is difficult to break. The children can become so used to it and begin to steal even when the parents try to curtail their sugar intake
“As I said earlier, the brain needs sugar to work properly, so, the main issue will be moderation.
“The physical problems associated with eating a lot of sugar-containing foods is that it can damage the teeth and can make the children gain a lot of weight so that they become obese.
While some of them play a lot and don’t gain weight, many of them stay indoors and watch cartoons and become very fat. Even if the children play around a lot, it is still better for them to limit their sugar content because once they get used to it, it becomes tough to break the habit.”
When asked about some of the things children take that are dangerous, the child health expert explained, “The things that contain a lot of sugar are very convenient for mothers: biscuits, cake, chocolate, sweets, carbonated drinks.
“What will I advise them to replace with natural foods like fruits and they should limit children’s intake.
“But it becomes very difficult when they go to school. Practically, they should give them water instead of coke.
“They can make juice by themselves, e.g zobo and reduce the sugar they put. A lot of the ready-made fruit juice contains a lot of sugar. When buying biscuits, they can buy the less sugary type.”
A study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that children under five can become addicted to sugar.
The study looked at the eating habits of over 400 preschoolers and found that those who consumed the most sugar-sweetened beverages were more likely to have symptoms of addiction, such as cravings, anxiety, and difficulty controlling their intake.
The research also found that these children were more likely to have dental caries and to be overweight or obese.
The study discovered that preschoolers who consumed the most sugar-sweetened beverages were more likely to exhibit addictive behaviour, including cravings, anxiety, and difficulties controlling their intake.
According to the researchers, these children were also more likely to say that they felt bad when they could not have their favourite sugary drink.
The study also observed that children who consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages were more likely to have dental caries, or cavities, and to be overweight or obese.
The researchers concluded that the high sugar content of these beverages, combined with their addictive potential, makes them a public health concern for young children.
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