A GNA Feature by Eunice Hilda A. Mensah
Accra, Dec.29, GNA – The escalating number of carbonated drinks and sweets on the Ghanaian market, especially in schools is a source of worry so far as children’s health is concerned.
Issue at stake
Without doubt, the mere sight of many varieties and brands on the markets connotes a keen competition among the beverage industry.
The rest are candies in different shapes, forms and colours to attract children as well as chewing gums, sugary biscuits, cupcakes, ice creams, and sweet chocolates among others.
Parents or Guardians providing sweets for their wards have become a competition among some school children such that those without it during break time become so uncomfortable and feel a sense of not belonging to a caring or rich family or such a school.
Queues for sweets
One interesting, yet unfortunate scene often spotted in the mornings are children from two years and above in their school uniforms, always standing or queuing in front of shops for sweets before going to school.
In an interaction with Frema, a four year old kindergarten girl, after being permitted by the parent, she said: “I like sweets a lot because my daddy buys me a lot especially when I do well in class.
“When I come back home with some of my pocket money, then my parents want to reduce what they give me the next day, so I pass by our school’s shop to buy abele (ice cream), sobolo or toffee and eat on my way home, to finish the remaining money.”
Such drinks and sweets are made of ingredients like carbonated water, fruit flavours, citric acid, sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame), preservatives (Potassium Sorbate), sugar, and colours.
Health experts, however, say too much sweets contribute to fatty liver disease, diabetes, and obesity among others.
Dr Anuja Lakra, a Consultant, Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospitals India, explains in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that majority of the food eaten is converted to sugar (glucose) and absorbed into the bloodstream.
She said when an adult or a child develops diabetes, their body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot utilise it as effectively as it should.
Diabetes figures
According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are currently an estimated 1.1 million children and adolescents (less than 20 years) living with type ‘1’ diabetes around the world and over 132,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with it every year.
Mr Francis Kosolo, the WHO Representative to Ghana in a statement read on his behalf at the commemoration of the 2022 World Diabetes Day, said diabetes mellitus took the lives of 416,000 people on the continent and is forecast to become one of the leading causes of death in Africa by 2030
Children becoming more prone to diabetes
Dr Anuja explains that when the pancreas does not create enough insulin, type 1 diabetes develops and prevents the body from using sugar, causing it to build up in the bloodstream.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels and dehydration, requiring children to receive intravenous insulin and saline/IV fluid in a paediatric emergency room or critical care unit.
Even though ‘Type 2 diabetes’ was referred to as ‘Adult-onset diabetes’ years ago as it was rare in children, an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with it recently, with some as young as 10 years, she noted.
Obesity In Children
Obesity is a substantial risk factor for type 2 diabetes and the fatter tissue a child has, particularly around the abdomen, the more insulin-resistant his or her cells become. Many youngsters develop type 2 diabetes in their early adolescence and Type 2 diabetes is more common in adolescent girls than in adolescent boys.
In today’s market, Dr Anuja said there are many sweets with artificial and large amounts of sugar that might be harmful to one’s child.
Dangers of sugar
Dr Anuja says too much sugar suppresses the immune system of a child, can lead to diabetes in children and adolescents, increases hyperactivity in children, reduces concentration and impairs vision.
“Sugar also has the potential to cause Stomachaches, indigestion, and an Acidic Digestive Tract. A child’s mood, activity, and hyperactivity can all be affected by too much sugar. Their behaviour is affected because their blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day like a roller coaster, “she said.
She explains that sugar is linked to Asthma in children and adolescents, can contribute to Eczema in children, and food allergies and therefore is children’s worst enemy when it comes to bowel movements.
Many long-term studies, she said, have linked sugar consumption to a higher risk of health problems later in life, such as diabetes and obesity.
Children under the age of two are “not” supposed to consume any added sugar, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and those aged ‘2’ and above should consume no more than 25 grammes (or six teaspoons) of added sugar each day.
According to the Ghana Health Service, more than 800 children were diagnosed with diabetes in 2021 in three major teaching hospitals – Korle-Bu, Okomfo Anokye and Cape Coast.
The World Health Organization in 2022 during the celebration of World Obesity Day on the theme: “Accelerating Action to Stop Obesity”, said 340 million adolescents and 39 million children were obese.
The number, it said is still increasing. WHO also estimates that by 2025, approximately 167 million people-adults and children will become less healthy because they are overweight or obese.
Effects of Sweets and Obesity on Children
Speaking of Obesity as another effect of sugars and sweets and subsequently Diabetes, Dr Anuja said it can diminish the overall quality of life of a child.
“You may not be able to do physical activities that you used to enjoy. You may avoid public places. People with obesity may even encounter discrimination,” she said.
She warned of depression, disability, shame and guilt, social isolation and lower work achievement as some of the other weight-related issues that may affect one’s quality of life.
Dr Efua Commeh, Acting Programme Manager, Non-communicable Diseases, Ghana Health Service, says Diabetes affects a significant number of children, many of whom are not recognised.
“Children with this condition will live with it for a very long time and it will affect productivity. Moreover, there are many who walk around with the condition without knowing about it,” she noted.
Long-term consequences of children with Diabetes
Dr Lakra noted that the intake of large amounts of sweets by children leads to various health issues, mainly obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidemia, Cardiac disease, hormonal imbalance, polycystic ovarian disease and many other metabolic diseases.
These invariably lead to poor quality of life, frequent visits to hospital, extra expenses on medicine, and poor performance at work, thereby affecting productivity, revenue generation and overall, the economy of the world.
“Children are the future of every nation and it is our moral responsibility to safeguard the health of our children and to educate them about the importance of a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Tina Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Health at the commemoration of the 2022 World Diabetes Day, said per studies conducted, the prevalence of diabetes is between 2.6 and nine per cent and Ghana Health Service records an average of 200,000 cases of diabetes reported to health facilities annually.
Recommendations of WHO
The WHO has encouraged countries to do more to reverse the predictable and preventable health crisis, emphasising that obesity affects the heart, liver, kidneys, joints, and reproductive system.
It also leads to a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, various forms of cancer, as well as mental health issues.
WHO admonished countries to work together to create a better food environment to enable everyone to access and afford a healthy diet.
Effective steps include restricting the marketing of food and drinks high in fats, sugar and salt, taxing sugary drinks, to children and providing better access to affordable, healthy food is another significant step in the fight.
WHO also recommends that cities and towns make space for safe walking, cycling, and recreation, and urges schools to help households teach children healthy habits from early on.
Tips for preparing school lunch for a child
When considering what to prepare for a child’s lunch, health experts advise that it is vital to make a nutritious selection to give a child energy, aid in appropriate growth, and keep him or her from becoming unwell.
Dr Anuja stated that fruits and vegetables were like ‘hitting the lottery’ as they provided colour to a meal as well as vitamins and fibre.
With fat, she said kids needed it in their diets to stay healthy and feel full, however, they should be eaten in moderation, stating that butter and oils are high in fat.
She advised that whole grains such as bread, cereals, rice, and pasta are chosen whenever possible as they were superior to refined grains.
The Consultant said lunch should be well-balanced to contain a variety of food groups, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, meat or protein items, and dairy products like milk and cheese.
“Avoid snacking on packaged foods such as salty snacks, sweets, and drinks which are commonly accessible in the cafeteria or vending machines at many schools.
“Mix things up a little. Do you always give your child the same lunch? If his or her lunch is a hot dog, it’s time to switch things up. Try giving the child something different to keep his or her taste senses from becoming bored,” she suggested.
Duties of All Citizens
Diabetes, with its many challenges and consequences, requires the attention of all citizens to stand up against the proliferation of sweets in markets including school shops.
This will help to safeguard everyone’s health especially that of children who are every home and overall the nation’s future leaders from health disorders such as unexpected amputation, loss of vision and death among others.
Parents must be firm and provide only well-balanced and nutritious meals for their wards devoid of sweets in order not to be hit by unwanted health surprises in the near future.
GNA