A paediatrician in Lagos highlights the dangers of high free sugar intake among children, linking it to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and dental problems, and calls for improved dietary habits in families and schools.
A Lagos paediatrician has warned that too much free sugar in children’s diets can raise the risk of obesity and a string of later health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Dr Usman Ibrahim, a senior registrar in paediatrics at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that free sugar includes table sugar, added sugars in processed foods and drinks, fruit juices and honey.
Ibrahim said the World Health Organisation advises that free sugar should make up less than 10 per cent of daily energy intake for both children and adults. He said parents often overlook hidden sugar in biscuits, snacks, sweetened drinks and other processed foods, even though these products can quickly push intake above healthy levels. The World Health Organisation says excess calorie intake, especially from sugary foods and beverages, contributes to weight gain and obesity, which in turn is linked to wider non-communicable disease risks.
He said the problem is not only one of weight. When children consume more energy than they use, the surplus is stored as fat, increasing the chance of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The World Health Organisation notes that type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and insulin resistance, while the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says excess body weight also raises the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Ibrahim added that high sugar intake can also contribute to dental caries, because bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that damage teeth over time.
The paediatrician said children are naturally drawn to sweet tastes and that some parents unintentionally reinforce the habit by using sweets or sugary drinks as rewards. He advised families to serve regular meals, offer water instead of sugary drinks and choose healthier snacks such as whole fruit, plain yoghurt and age-appropriate nuts or peanut butter. He also urged schools to teach children about sugar and to limit sugary foods at celebrations, saying better eating habits, more physical activity and less sedentary time can help reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
