No sugar to babies during the first 1000 days of its life– Study

KAKALI DAS

In the West, baby food companies strictly adhere to global guidelines, ensuring no added sugar is included in products like formula or milk powder. However, in the Global South, the situation differs, with many baby food products containing added sugar.

According to a new study, this is a significant concern.

The research published in the journal “Science” indicates that consuming sugar within the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life can lead to poor health outcomes later. It raises the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and even heart problems.

No sugar to babies during the first 1000 days of its life– Study — Image: Powershift

“In the first 1,000 days of life, the brain and body are gearing up to finish developing,” says Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, a registered dietician in Boston and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutrition during that timeframe is particularly important, she says, because “everything the mother eats gets transformed into nutrients for the foetus.”

So why do companies continue to add sugar to baby food? And who will be responsible for holding them accountable?

How do the first 1,000 days impact a baby’s life? This period is critical for their main development, from brain formation to learning and even social skills. These 1,000 days lay the foundation and can shape a child’s well-being for years to come.

What happens when babies consume added sugar during this period? It puts them at risk, as sugar consumption is linked to multiple health issues later in life, including diabetes, heart diseases, and other chronic illnesses.

If a child follows a low-sugar diet during the first 1,000 days, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes is reduced by 35%, and their risk of high blood pressure decreases by 20%. Additionally, diseases tend to develop 2 to 4 years later compared to those who consumed more sugar.

How much sugar should a child consume? All foods contain some amount of naturally occurring sugars, such as those found in fruits and milk. However, the concern lies with added sugars, which are introduced to foods during processing or preparation.

The American Heart Association recommends that children aged 2 and older should consume less than 25 grams of added sugar, which is about 6 teaspoons. Children under the age of 2 should not consume any added sugars at all. Despite these global guidelines, children under 2 are consuming more added sugar than ever before.

Why is this happening? It’s due to the presence of added sugars in baby food. From formula and baby milk powder to cereals, porridges, and pureed foods, many of these products contain hidden added sugars. You might not expect it, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

UNICEF conducted an assessment of over 1,600 commercially produced complementary baby food products across Southeast Asia. Nearly half of these products contained added sugars and sweeteners. Why is this the case? Because sugar makes the food more appealing to children—more sugar means better taste, better taste leads to higher consumption, and higher consumption drives more sales.

However, there is a double standard in play. A report from a Swiss organization indicates that some brands add sugar to baby foods sold in certain countries within the Global South, but they do not do the same in Europe or other Western nations, where their baby food products contain no added sugars.

This discrepancy is due to the strict guidelines in those countries. While countries in the Global South do have regulations, companies frequently exploit loopholes or navigate legal grey areas to evade scrutiny.

What can countries do to address this issue? The first step is to tighten their regulations. However, this is often easier said than done. Not every country has the resources to invest millions in inspections and regulations, which is why global organizations need to take action and provide support.

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines state that “no added sugars or sweetening agents are permitted in any food for children under 3.” Nevertheless, companies often disregard this guideline, particularly in the Global South.

It is essential for global organizations to hold companies accountable and ensure that their practices do not adversely affect the lives of millions of children.

two babies wearing red mickey mouse shirts — Photo by Edwin Ariel Valladares on Pexels.com

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