Many children are high sugar consumers and eat less nutrient-rich foods than low sugar consumers

What is it about?

Children with high intakes of free sugars (above 20% of energy intake) had higher energy intakes but lower intakes of some essential nutrients than children with low/moderate intakes of free sugars (less than 15% of energy). They also ate lesser amounts of bread, milk, fat spreads and vegetables but much greater amounts of confectionery, sugar-sweetened soft drinks and fruit juice. The children with high free sugars intakes started consuming this type of diet before the age of 2 years and were often difficult to feed and tended to be choosy with food in early years.

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Why is it important?

To improve the diets of children support should be given to parents when their children are first learning to eat. They should be encouraged to offer core foods such as vegetables, bread and milk and to offer water as a drink instead of sugar-sweetened soft drinks.