Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, has expressed concern at the rising level of obesity in children and has backed the new campaign that highlights the danger that sugar holds for us all in our diet.
He said: “The latest figures suggest that 30% of children are either overweight or obese and it is also estimated that obesity and its related conditions account for over £15 billion of NHS money each year. It stands to reason that if we can get a handle on obesity then we can improve people’s health and the quality of their lives.
“It is for this reason that I would support the calls for the food industry to cut the sugar that is added to food. I was surprised to learn that whilst we expect a Mars Bar to have eight teaspoons of sugar you may think that you are going for a much healthier alternative of low fat yogurt but this contain 5 teaspoons of sugar.
“It is clear that people must be made more aware of what is being put in their body. As a diabetic, I was shocked when the doctor listed food that I thought to be healthy as food I needed to watch and others need to be aware of as well and thus I would support this campaign to have the food industry ensure that people are aware of what they are eating.”
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