Shocking new figures on sugar consumption by Northern Ireland children are just part of a wider issue around children’s diet, according to a Down teacher.
Carney Cumper, President of the Ulster Teachers’ Union and vice principal of Killyleagh Integrated Primary, said schools played a crucial role in educating pupils about their health but needed the support of parents and the media too.
She was speaking as Public Health England released statistics showing that children in the UK exceed the maximum recommended sugar intake for an 18-year-old by the time they are 10. Data was from across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
“As teachers we are on the front line when it comes to seeing the impact of what children eat on how they perform in the classroom. We can see that children who start their lessons having eaten a healthy breakfast, for instance, are better able to concentrate,” said Mrs Cumper.
“However, the impact of sugary snacks and drinks on children’s health is also a growing concern to us, given not only the childhood obesity epidemic and all its attendant health problems, but on children’s dental health too.
“Last year, statistics revealed that more than 5,000 children were admitted to hospitals in Northern Ireland to have multiple teeth extracted in the previous 12 months, costing the health service an estimated £9m.
“In that time a staggering 22,699 teeth were extracted under general anaesthetic from 5,122 under-18s. That is truly appalling.
“However, not only does sugar play a huge part in childhood obesity and dental decay, it also contributes to poor learning given the high sugar levels of many energy drinks which are still popular among young people.
“These energy drinks often contribute to children’s lack of concentration in class thus impacting their ability to learn. So the effects of sugary diets are wide-ranging.
“Schools play a major role already in teaching children about the importance of a healthy diet and then, more importantly, backing up that message by offering children healthier choices at lunchtime.”
Mrs Cumper added: “Indeed we’re hearing that children are increasingly aware of the healthy food groups. But this message needs to be reinforced beyond the school gate.
“When children go home, they need to receive a message which is consistent with the good work being done between 9am and 3pm in schools – and teachers need the support, not only of parents, but also of the media which bombards young people with advertising.”
“Choosing lower-sugar foods and drinks can make a difference and that’s the message we deliver to pupils daily but we need a joined-up approach if it is to succeed and become the preferred lifestyle choice for our young people. After all, their health and learning – and indeed ultimately their lives – could depend on it.”
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