Islington has become the latest borough to join the Sugar Smart campaign, targeting sugar consumption throughout the public with smartphone technology.
The nationwide initiative encourages local organisations to commit to healthier diets, especially those in contact with young people.
This comes as Janet Burgess, the Executive Member of Health and Social Care and Deputy Leader of Islington Council revealed that “over 20% of five-year-olds in Islington have had experienced tooth decay.”
Simon Langford, a general practitioner at Lister House Dental Practice, is behind the movement.
“In this country in particular we are the seventh highest for sugar-consumption in the world. We are consuming far too much.”
“We have about three times more sugar than we should when we are very young, and this follows through adulthood as well. Following this we tend to see issues with blood pressure, heart problems and obesity as well as bad dental situations.”
To combat poor lifestyle habits and the health implications they lead to, Sugar Smart is striving to educate communities on diet in more convenient ways. An online App enables consumers to scan product barcodes, revealing the nutritional quantities and comparing them to daily guideline amounts.
“It’s incredibly enlightening to access this technology and see where we are with our diets, in relation to where we should be” said Langford.
Public Health England recently shed more light on the issue facing young people, revealing that 4-10-year-olds in the country are consuming twice their recommended amount of sugar.
However, with only 11 organisations currently signed up, operations are slow off the mark. Local mother Carla Jenns is weary of Sugar Smart’s potential impact in the face of such an enormous challenge.
“It’s a good start, hopefully the App helps to raise awareness because so many of us need educating on sugar.”
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HeadlineIslington joins Sugar Smart campaign, aiming to reduce sugar consumption in children
Short HeadlineIslington joins Sugar Smart campaign
StandfirstThe nationwide initiative encourages local organisations to commit to healthier diets, especially those in contact with young people.
Islington has become the latest borough to join the Sugar Smart campaign, targeting sugar consumption throughout the public with smartphone technology.
The nationwide initiative encourages local organisations to commit to healthier diets, especially those in contact with young people.
This comes as Janet Burgess, the Executive Member of Health and Social Care and Deputy Leader of Islington Council revealed that “over 20% of five-year-olds in Islington have had experienced tooth decay.”
Simon Langford, a general practitioner at Lister House Dental Practice, is behind the movement.
“In this country in particular we are the seventh highest for sugar-consumption in the world. We are consuming far too much.”
“We have about three times more sugar than we should when we are very young, and this follows through adulthood as well. Following this we tend to see issues with blood pressure, heart problems and obesity as well as bad dental situations.”
To combat poor lifestyle habits and the health implications they lead to, Sugar Smart is striving to educate communities on diet in more convenient ways. An online App enables consumers to scan product barcodes, revealing the nutritional quantities and comparing them to daily guideline amounts.
“It’s incredibly enlightening to access this technology and see where we are with our diets, in relation to where we should be” said Langford.
Public Health England recently shed more light on the issue facing young people, revealing that 4-10-year-olds in the country are consuming twice their recommended amount of sugar.
However, with only 11 organisations currently signed up, operations are slow off the mark. Local mother Carla Jenns is weary of Sugar Smart’s potential impact in the face of such an enormous challenge.
“It’s a good start, hopefully the App helps to raise awareness because so many of us need educating on sugar.”
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