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The call for a drastic reduction in sugar consumption comes
in an expert report issued jointly by the World Health
Organization and the Food and Agriculture
Organisation. It warns that in 2001, chronic diseases resulting from poor diet
contributed to 60 per cent of the 56 million reported deaths worldwide and nearly
half the global burden of disease.
Philip James, a member of the expert panel and chair of the International Obesity
Task Force, warns: "We now know that the biggest global health burden for
the world is dietary in origin and is compounded by association with low physical
activity levels. This is going to plague us for the next 30 years."
Food and drink manufacturers argue that the scientific evidence does not support
a link between sugar and obesity, and that exercise is the most important factor.
Andrew Prentice, co-chair of the expert group and a nutritionist at the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, admits there "has always been tension
between health experts and the food industry". But, he says, the evidence
of a link is now stronger and situation is urgent. "Scientists and health
experts have been brave enough to say 'we can't afford to wait'," he told
New Scientist.Heart disease and diabetes The report aims to set out ways to tackle
the burgeoning growth of chronic conditions caused by poor diet and obesity.
These include cardiovascular diseases, cancers such as oesophageal, colorectal
and kidney cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and dental disease.
The 30-strong team of experts recommend a diet low in high calorie foods, including
saturated fats and sugars, and abundant in fruit and vegetables, as well as one
hour of moderate exercise a day.
Carbohydrates should be the bulk of a person's diet, says the report, making
up 55 to 75 per cent of daily energy intake. Protein should make up a further
10 to 15 per cent of a person's diet. Sugars, added and natural, should make
up less than 10 per cent, and salt should be restricted to less than five grams
a day."Horrifying rise" The recommendations for sugar intake are much
lower than those set by the US Institute of Medicine, which advises that sugar
could make up to 25 per cent of a person's diet.
Prentice said the panel had been prompted to set the 10 per cent limit by increasing
evidence of a link between body weight gain and dietary sugar, as well as increasing
tooth decay. He said statistics showed a "horrifying" rise in soft
drink consumption in developing world countries, as well as the US.
Adult obesity rates in the US have risen from 14 per cent in 1978 to 31 per cent
in 2000. And rates have triples in the UK from about seven per cent in 1980 to
about 22 per cent in 2001, according to the IOTF.
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