Children in Gedling borough are consuming more than double the recommended amount of sugar research published today has revealed (9).
But although sugar consumption is on the rise, consumption of sugary drinks has fallen compared to six years ago.
This is according to the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), published today by Public Health England (PHE).
Children aged 4 to 10 years drank 100mls of sugary drinks on average in 2012 to 2014, a decrease from 130mls/day in 2008 to 2010.
However, sugar makes up 13% of children’s daily calorie intake, while the official recommendation is to limit it to no more than 5%. Worryingly, teenagers continue to consume 3 times the official recommendation for sugar (15%) and adults over twice as much (12%).
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The survey also confirms that the UK population continues to consume too much saturated fat and not enough fruit, vegetables and fibre. Average saturated fat intake for adults aged 19 to 64 is 12.7% of daily calorie intake, above the 11% recommendation.
The same age group consume on average four portions of fruit and vegetables per day, older adults, aged 65 and over, consume 4.2 portions and children aged 11 to 18 consume 2.8 portions per day. Only 27% percent of adults, 35% of older adults and 8% of 11 to 18-year-olds meet the ‘5 A Day’ recommendation for fruit and vegetables.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: “This data provides compelling evidence that we all need to eat more fruit, veg, fibre and oily fish and cut back on sugar, salt and saturated fat to improve our health.
“While it is encouraging that young children are having fewer sugary drinks, they still have far too much sugar in their diet overall, along with teenagers and adults.
“Over one in 3 children leaving primary school and almost 2 in 3 adults are overweight or obese which means they are more prone to developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
She added: “The data underlines PHE’s call for the population to follow a healthy, balanced diet, based on the new Eatwell Guide, which includes eating a minimum of 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day and increasing consumption of oily fish and fibre.
“Following a healthy, balanced diet and reducing calories will help reduce obesity and the economic and social burden of life-threatening diseases.”
