Dr Usman Ibrahim, Senior Registrar in Paediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), warns that excessive consumption of free sugar could expose children to obesity and other health complications.
Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that free sugar included table sugar, added sugars in processed foods, drinks, fruit juices and honey.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that free sugar should constitute less than 10 per cent of daily energy intake for children and adults.
According to him, excessive sugar consumption can cause excessive weight gain and obesity, which are risk factors for heart disease, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
He added that excessive sugar intake could affect children’s growth by reducing their interest in nutritious foods necessary for proper growth and development.
“The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that children under two years should not have food and drinks with added sugar.
“It recommends 100 per cent fruit juice for children from age one,” he said.
According to him, parents should consider hidden sugars in sweetened biscuits, drinks, snacks and processed foods when monitoring their children’s sugar intake.
Ibrahim said excessive sugar consumption contributed to obesity when energy intake exceeded what the body uses, causing excess energy to be stored as fat.
He said prolonged accumulation of body fat could result in excessive weight gain and obesity, increasing children’s risk of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
The paediatrician said excessive sugar intake could also cause dental caries because mouth bacteria feed on sugar and produce acids that gradually damage teeth.
He said untreated dental caries could lead to cavities, infections, pain and permanent tooth loss.
Ibrahim said children were naturally attracted to sweet foods because of biological preference, noting that breast milk was also naturally sweet.
He added that sweet foods could produce pleasurable sensations, while some parents unintentionally encouraged sugar consumption by using sweets and drinks as rewards.
Ibrahim advised parents to provide regular meals and encourage children to drink water to reduce cravings for sugary drinks and snacks.
He recommended healthy alternatives such as varieties of whole fruits, plain yoghurt and age-appropriate nuts or peanut butter.
The paediatrician advised parents to read food labels and choose snacks containing little sugar, while also leading by example through healthier eating habits.
He urged schools to educate children on the dangers of excessive sugar consumption and introduce policies regulating sugary snacks and foods during celebrations.
Ibrahim explained that diabetes mellitus occurred when blood glucose became too high because the body produces insufficient insulin or cannot effectively use available insulin.
He said Type 1 diabetes occurred when the immune system destroyed pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, making affected children dependent on lifelong insulin therapy.
According to him, Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin and may eventually produce insufficient quantities.
Ibrahim said Type 2 diabetes was increasingly being seen among children because overweight and obesity could contribute to insulin resistance.
He listed excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger and weight loss as common symptoms of diabetes.
Ibrahim said adopting healthy lifestyles, avoiding excessive sugar consumption and reducing sedentary behaviour could help prevent excessive weight gain and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
