A new study published in The BMJ reveals that children around the world are consuming more sugar-sweetened beverages than ever before, leading to a rise in child obesity rates. Researchers found that in 2018, kids were drinking an average of 3.6 servings of sugary drinks per week, a significant increase from 1990.
Child obesity has also increased over the past three decades, affecting approximately 160 million children and teenagers globally. Dariush Mozaffarian, the study’s senior author, emphasized the urgent need for action in all countries to address this alarming trend.
The study focused on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, energy drinks, and fruit drinks. Higher intake levels were reported in Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa, with children in these regions having the highest consumption rates.
Regional differences were observed, with Latin American children showing a slight decrease in sugary drink intake in 2018 compared to 1990, while Sub-Saharan Africa saw a significant increase. High-income countries like those in Western Europe and North America experienced fluctuations in consumption levels over the years.
Researchers highlighted the importance of implementing targeted education and policy interventions, such as taxes on sugary drinks and regulations on labeling and marketing, to combat the negative health effects associated with excessive sugar consumption in childhood. The study’s findings stress the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure a healthier future generation.
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