March 4: World Obesity Day
Argentina: 1 in 4 cases of obesity in children and adolescents is associated with the consumption of sodas, juices, flavored waters and other sugary drinks
A study points out the link between the consumption of sugary drinks and obesity and the increased risk of suffering from diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Sodas, juices, flavored waters and others Sugary drinks are responsible for 10% of cases of overweight and 27% of cases of obesity en children and adolescents from 0 to 17 years, which implies that different measures should be promoted to limit its consumption in that population group, according to recent research led by the Institute of Clinical and Health Effectiveness (IECS), an academic institution affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). According to this scientific work, due to the consumption of these drinks annually in Argentina 774 thousand girls, Children and adolescents suffer from obesity or overweight.
According to one of the main researchers of this work, the Dr. Andrea Alcaraz, cardiologist and master in Clinical Effectiveness, the data suggest that There is a “hidden side” in the consumption of these drinks, since very important information about the consequences of ingesting them is unknown. Alcaraz explains that the figures from the IECS study, which allow linking overweight and obesity to sugary drinks, deserve special attention because, according to the latest National Nutrition and Health Survey (2019), Argentina has a prevalence of childhood obesity of 33%, one of the highest in Latin America. “Between 5 and 17 years old, 20,7% are overweight and 20,4% are obese,” pointed out
"The consumption of these drinks is closely related to the number of people who suffer from obesity. There is a lot of information that is 'hidden', that the population is unaware of. For example, pocos You know that a 600ml regular (not light) soda has about 13 teaspoons of sugar. Soda, as well as flavored waters and boxed juices (many of which come in fruit-printed containers to look healthy/natural), contain a lot of sugar. And sugar is an important source of calories that does not provide any other nutrients. It is important to know this, be aware and know the potential risks of ingesting these drinks for the general population, but especially for the little ones.us", says Alcaraz.
“Excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of suffering from obesity, overweight and also other diseases (such as diabetes). Limiting consumption in boys and girls is especially important because Food preferences are learned in childhood and persist into adulthood. Intervening early with actions that restrict consumption can have a great impact on public health. expands the Dr. Andrés Pichon-Riviere, doctor in medicine, Master of Science and Clinical Epidemiology from Harvard University, executive director of the IECS and one of the principal investigators of the study.
The authors of this scientific work assure that Those who are obese in childhood have an increased risk of being obese in adulthood and there are also other health and social complications. “Those who are obese in childhood are also more likely to develop asthma, as well as suffer discrimination and bullying at school and in the family”says the study, which is available here. To see the infographic summary of the study click click here (information about childhood is available on page 3)
In addition, “Sugary drinks cause a significant increase in cavities which damages the integrity of the teeth. "The problem is more noticeable in boys and girls with less access to the health system and can lead to social problems such as bullying," Alcaraz observes.
The study also determines sugary drinks as one of the causes associated with 517.000 cases of overweight and obesity in men and women over 18 years of age, as well as with 23% of diabetes cases diagnosed in adults. Being overweight and obese also increases the risk of developing heart disease, musculoskeletal problems, stroke, asthma, cancer and other diseases. In this regard, it is worth noting that 66% of Argentine adults are overweight, according to the 4th National Survey of Risk Factors (2018).
“This study shows, for the first time, the magnitude of the impact of sugary drinks on public health in Argentina. "It constitutes a wake-up call for those who make health decisions and reinforces the need to implement mechanisms that discourage the consumption of these drinks, including a higher tax burden, front nutritional labeling, modification of the school environment and the prohibition of advertising," concludes Pichon-Riviere.
This study, led by the IECS, is a collaborative project funded by the Canada International Development Center (IDRC). It was carried out in Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with researchers and health decision-makers from universities, research centers and public institutions in the four countries.
All information about this study is available at: www.iecs.org.ar/sugar