Sugary Drink Consumption Among Children Exceeds 42 Percent
· Anadolu Ajansı
While Turkey maintains its starch-based sugar quota at 2.5%, experts warn that the rapidly increasing sugar consumption among children is inviting metabolic diseases and obesity.
Starch-Based Sugar Quota in Turkey
Starch-based sugar, derived from starch-containing plants and primarily containing glucose and fructose, is the second most widely used sweetener globally after table sugar. Preferred in the food industry across a wide range, from baked goods to traditional desserts, and from ice cream to beverages, this product is subject to strict control in Turkey. Within the scope of the quota application carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, starch-based sugar can constitute a maximum of 2.5% of the total sugar produced nationwide. Ministry teams regularly monitor producers' compliance with this legal limit and production standards in the field.
Differences Between Beet Sugar and NBS
Table sugar, obtained from sugar beet, a fundamental element of traditional agricultural production, contains glucose and fructose in equal proportions in its chemical structure. In contrast, in starch-based sugar, also known as glucose-fructose syrup, these components are present as free monomers. Prof. Dr. Elif Özmert, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases, emphasizes that the fructose content in NBS can range between 42% and 90%. Its production through cheaper and simpler methods in industry compared to sugar beet leads to its widespread use in processed foods.
Fructose Metabolism and Fatty Liver
The mechanism by which fructose is processed in the body differs significantly from other types of carbohydrates. Prof. Dr. Elif Özmert, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases, made the following assessment on the subject:
"The risk of NBS causing disease is higher due to its high fructose content. Fructose has a different metabolism than other sugars. Fructose rapidly converts to fat in the liver, and since it does not create a feeling of fullness, consumption continues."
High fructose intake triggers numerous metabolic disorders, from insulin resistance to fatty liver. Therefore, experts draw attention to the necessity of limiting excessive sugar consumption from any source for health reasons.
Increase in Sugary Drink Consumption Among Children
The transformation in food consumption habits is rapidly escalating the consumption of sugary drinks, which is among the most critical causes of childhood obesity. Prof. Dr. Elif Özmert, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases, shared the research data as follows:
"A study conducted in Turkey in 2013, 2016, and 2022 among primary school children aged 7-8 reported the frequency of children consuming sugary drinks every day/frequently as 12.7%, 18.4%, and most recently 42.3%, respectively. This situation emphasizes the need for immediate action regarding obesity risk."
Sugary drinks, offering an easy and cheap source of calories, lay the groundwork for hypertension and dental caries.
Eating Behaviors and Reward Mechanism
Regular consumption of sugary and fatty foods directly affects children's neurological eating responses and dietary preferences. Prof. Dr. Elif Özmert, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases, provides the following warnings regarding the reward mechanism in the brain:
"The consumption of sugary products affects the pleasure and reward centers in the brain. It can create a kind of addiction, although the term 'addiction' is not yet fully accepted by medical literature, it definitely turns into a behavior that increases consumption. We can say this not only for NBS but for all sugary and fatty foods."
The regulation of school canteens and the provision of healthy food services are of great importance.
Consumption Limits by Age Group
For the healthy development of individuals, sugar intake during childhood needs to be limited in accordance with international standards. Prof. Dr. Elif Özmert recommends avoiding added sugar for the first 2 years of infancy, and in later years, added sugar should not exceed 5% of daily calories. According to the guidelines of the American Heart Association, daily sugar consumption for children over 2 years of age should be limited to a maximum of 26 grams, approximately 6 teaspoons. It is recommended that parents prefer homemade foods and fresh fruits over ready-packaged foods, and that industrial producers gradually reduce sugar content.
Long-Term Effects of Childhood Obesity into Adulthood
Unhealthy eating habits acquired in early childhood and the resulting weight problems form the basis of chronic diseases in adulthood. Prof. Dr. Elif Özmert, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases, draws attention to the risk factors:
"No adversity in childhood remains in childhood. Therefore, child health is an important component that determines adult health. 55% of obese children become obese adolescents, and 80% of obese adolescents become obese adults."
Obesity that begins in childhood leads to a multiplicative increase in life-threatening risks such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke, and pregnancy complications in the following years.