Doc’s plea over sugary drinks for kids

A senior doctor has called on parents to stop giving children and teenagers sugary drinks.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, is calling on the parents to offer their children only sugar-free drinks or water.

This is because these options are healthier and better for their teeth.

Childhood obesity figures continue to make for grim reading and show no signs of lowering.

The latest figures show that almost one-in-five children are overweight or obese when they start primary school and almost one in three by the time they leave primary school.

Dr de Caestecker believes if we don’t take drastic action now, half of all children will be overweight or obese by 2020.

She said: “Our population is already consuming too much sugar and a small can of standard cola contains almost the maximum daily amount of sugar recommended for a small child.

“Many people are concerned about the wider impacts of shifting consumption habits from sugary food and drinks to those that are artificially sweetened.

“There is currently conflicting research on the wider health implications of overconsumption of artificially sweetened products.

“While artificially sweetened beverages can be useful for those individuals with a high intake of sugary drinks, especially those above a healthy weight, this is only a temporary measure.

“In the long term, individuals should aim to break their reliance on sweet foods.”