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Scientists have stood up
to the food industry by stating that a key way to tackle
the growing global obesity epidemic is to encourage people
to limit their sugar intake to no more than 10 per cent of
their diet.
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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