By Kemi Olatunde
In today’s society, the allure of buying sweet drinks and junk food for children as a way of pampering them is undeniable. From brightly coloured sodas to fruit-flavoured juices and energy drinks as well as varieties of junk, they serve as companions for children, especially during joyful moments and relaxation. However, beneath their enticing appearance lies a profound concern for the health and well-being of our youngest population.
The prevalence of sweet drinks in children’s diets has reached alarming levels globally, mirroring trends in the rising rates of childhood obesity and health-related issues. These foods, typically laden with added sugars and lacking in essential nutrients, contribute significantly to children’s daily caloric intake. As a result, excessive consumption not only promotes weight gain and obesity but also increases the risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases later in life.
From a nutritional perspective, sweet drinks offer little nutritional value but pack a substantial caloric punch. A single can of soda can contain as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar, far exceeding the daily recommended intake for children. This surplus of empty calories not only fails to provide the essential vitamins and minerals crucial for growth and development but also disrupts appetite regulation mechanisms, potentially leading to overeating and further exacerbating weight-related issues.
Psychologically, the marketing of sweet drinks perpetuates a cycle of desire and consumption among children. Advertisements often depict these beverages as symbols of happiness, energy, and social acceptance, effectively influencing children’s preferences and consumption patterns. This marketing strategy not only shapes dietary habits from a young age but also contributes to the normalisation of excessive sugar intake as a cultural norm.
Junk and sweet drinks, often marketed as refreshing and appealing, hold a complex relationship with the health and well-being of our youngest generation.
The impact extends beyond physical health. Dental health professionals consistently flag sweet drinks as primary contributors to tooth decay and cavities, owing to their high sugar content and acidic nature. The corrosive effect of these beverages on tooth enamel is a pressing concern, leading to a rise in pediatric dental interventions and lifelong dental health implications.
Speaking with The Hope, General Secretary, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, Bukola Olaitan stated that good nutrition helps to fuel the body and promote optimum health & growth.
She explained that feeding children with sugar-dense drinks and snacks can lead to unhealthy weight gain & obesity which can, in turn, lead to heart diseases, liver problems, diabetes, and bone problems – These are critical cases in pediatric healthcare.
According to her; “Too much consumption of sugar, especially refined sugars promote dehydration. Sugars typically pull water out of our body cells hence, predispose us to frequent thirst sensations/ pangs & dehydration if uncontrolled. These sensations sometimes result in polyphagia or increased hunger due to loss or excess glucose in urine which leads the body to crave more glucose. From recent observations, it is unfortunate that people seemingly try to quench such thirst pangs with even more chilled sugary drinks instead of using clean potable water.
“High consumption of sugar can lead to polyuria or increased frequency of urination (glucose-induced urination). Uncontrolled dehydration can lead to weight loss owing to the loss of calories in urine.
“Feeding sugary snacks and drinks to our children often can destabilise their feeding pattern, leaving them with symptoms such as altered thinking & behaviour, mood swings, headaches, sweating, hyperactivity, and fatigue. These children are more susceptible to these effects especially because it creates an addictive cycle of unstable sugar highs and lows and cravings.
“Overconsumption of sugary drinks and snacks by children can cause poor dental health. This starts with early development of childhood cavities and then, early loss of baby teeth. These cavities, in turn, predispose the child to having tooth decay and or gum disease.
“It should be noted that the foods we eat supply the nutrients our body needs to maintain the brain, muscles, bones, nerves, skin, blood circulation, and immune system.”
She called on parents to choose the right foods & drinks for children to stay healthy and grow well.
A nutritionist, Mrs Adunola Sunday while asking parents to give diets that will improve brain functionality to their children noted that protein, fat, vitamins, nuts, and nutritious grains like oatmeal among others are nutrients that according to her keep children’s minds sharp by increasing blood flow to their brains.
She hinted that fat is crucial to the brain advising that yoghurt be added to their diet to keep their brain cells in good form for sending and receiving information.
Describing the brain as a very hungry organ as it is the first to absorb nutrients obtainable from food, he explained that children’s brain needs different types of nutrients which would enable them to perform excellently in their academics.
While stressing the need for parents to avoid providing children with excessive sugary food, she stated that folate and vitamins are linked to lower odds of getting dementia later in life.
Mrs Sunday who described fish as a good source of vitamin D and Omega-3s which protect the brain from declining mental skills and memory loss, said that sardines and some other fish that are rich in Omega-3s would help in proper brain function which according to her, encourages focus and assimilation in children.
The Nutritionists stated that peanuts and peanut butter are good sources of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects the nervous membrane, and thiamine which helps the brain and nervous system that uses glucose for energy.
Speaking further, she noted that oats are one of the most familiar hot cereals for children and a very nutritious grain for the brain adding that they provide excellent energy for the brain which is needed by children, especially in the morning.
She added that protein and fiber-rich oatmeal helps keep heart and brain arteries clear saying “Children who eat sweetened oatmeal perform better on memory-related school tasks than those who eat sugary cereal.”
She advised parents to make their children more friendly with fruits especially apples and plums which contain quercetin, an antioxidant that fights the decline in mental skills.
According to a nurse, Mrs Yemi Thompson, High consumption of sugar can alter the balance of bacteria in the gut which according to her leads to digestive issues such as bloating, discomfort, and diarrhea.
She explained that regular exposure to sugary drinks and foods at a young age can shape children’s taste preferences, making them more likely to choose sweetened items over healthier alternatives.
Thompson stated that most children may associate sugary treats with rewards or emotional comfort, which can contribute to unhealthy relationships with food and emotional eating habits.
She said that taking sugary drinks or junk food has an impact on the environment because the production and packaging of sugary drinks contribute to carbon emissions, plastic waste, and water usage, which can have indirect effects on children’s health and future well-being.
“The teeth of children can be affected too as too much consumption of both can lead to tooth decay and cavities, especially if oral hygiene is not maintained. We should not forget to note that these drinks and foods are high in calories and as such contribute to weight gain which mostly leads to obesity in children.
“In this case, health risk is involved as it has been associated with an increased risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases later in life.”
He called on parents to encourage balanced nutrition and moderate consumption of sugary items to support overall health and well-being.
A health worker who craved anonymity noted that high sugar intake in children has been linked to decreased cognitive function and learning ability in children which according to him could affect their performance in school and overall academic achievement.
He explained that excessive sugar consumption can disrupt the body’s metabolism, potentially increasing the risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and other metabolic disorders adding that “children who consume a lot of sweet drinks and foods may have an imbalanced diet, lacking essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are crucial for growth and development.
“High sugar intake could contribute to behavioural issues such as irritability, restlessness, and difficulty in controlling impulses.”
He advised parents to promote a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains adding that they should encourage healthy hydration with water and milk to support children’s overall health and well-being.
According to another nutritionist, Olamiotan Afolabi, “most parents, guardians, and caregivers believe that the best way to care for their children is by giving sugary drinks and snacks, they make it part of their kids’ diet every day. Unknowingly, it is bad, unhealthy, and harmful to their children’s health.
“Sugar is a soluble carbohydrate found in food. It is categorised into two types, simple and compound (double) sugar. Simple sugar also known as monosaccharides contains glucose, fructose, and galactose while compound sugar known as disaccharides contains maltose, sucrose, and lactose. In sugary drinks and snacks, the type of sugar used is SUCROSE which is a double (compound) sugar.”
She explained that it is important for parents and caregivers to note that there are side effects of daily consumption of sugary drinks and snacks in children stating that “these include Type 2 diabetes also known as juvenile diabetes, diarrhea, tooth decay, overweight, and heart disease. Parents are advised to be mindful of sugary beverages and snacks consumed by their children, they should be consumed moderately taken.”