DR EVA: BAN ENERGY DRINK SALE TO U-18S
Tv medic’s plan to combat child obesity epidemic
IRELAND’S top TV doctor has urged the Government to follow the UK’S proposal to ban the sale of energy drinks to youngsters under 18.
Dr Eva Orsmond said the child obesity epidemic here is something that should be taken seriously.
She added: “It is estimated the average child consumes 100 calories a day in fizzy drinks.
“The ban would be a great idea as Ireland’s obesity epidemic is expanding at such a huge rate.”
But the Finnish doctor said parents are also to blame for bad food habits of children adding:“we need to remember all
Energy drinks are loaded with sugar these habits are learnt from the parents.” Dr Orsmond also told how it was not just the caffeine content of energy drinks she was concerned about.
She said Ireland ranks 4th in the world when it comes to sugar consumption.
Dr Orsmond added: “The combination of sugar and caffeine quantities are absolutely horrendous [in energy drinks], well over what Coca-cola is having.
“They give you energy with 100 to 150 calories in just one can.
“I see children going to school with Lucozade in one hand and bags of crisps in another hand.
“When we were shooting Ireland’s Health Divide programme, we saw children buying energy drinks for breakfast.”
But Dr Orsmond said she believes education is the key.
She added: “Children from low socio-economic families tend to drink more of the [energy] drinks which is unfortunate.”