Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
10-year-old kids have already eaten 18 years’ worth of sugar
Parents urged to offer healthy snacks No-show GP patients cost NHS £216m
THE average child has already consumed 18 years’ worth of sugar by the age of 10, health bosses warn.
Youngsters at 10 eat an average 14 sugar cubes a day, eight above the maximum recommended for their age.
Public Health England data is based on the average intake of those aged two to 18.
With children eating 2,800 sugar cubes a year more than the advised amount, PHE says trading junk food for healthier snacks could remove 2,500 cubes a year from a child’s diet.
Dr Alison Tedstone, of PHE, said: “Parents can take action now.
“By making simple swaps children can have healthier versions of foods and drinks while significantly reducing their sugar intake.” Caroline Cerny, of Obesity Health Alliance, said the PHE figures “highlight the need for urgent action”. “Children are bombarded by adverts and promotions for junk food online, on TV and in our supermarkets. “Government proposals to restrict junk food marketing, tackle promotions and ensure calorie labelling in cafes and restaurants will make progress. But the food industry must also do their bit, cutting sugar levels from products ”
And the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said half of children’s sugar intake comes from unhealthy snacks and
drinks. PATIENTS failed to attend
15.4 million GP appointments last year, costing the NHS £216million, figures reveal.
Other patients are having to wait up to three weeks to see a GP because of a staffing crisis – 6,000 more doctors are urgently needed.
Helen Stokes-lampard, of the Royal College of GPS, said the no-shows were a “frustrating waste of resources” and added: “We would urge patients to let us know if they can’t attend, so we can offer that time to someone who really needs it.”
NHS England said one in 20 appointments are missed, wasting 1.2 million GP hours each year. It has previously been suggested that patients are charged £5 for missing an appointment.