IMPACT OF ADDED SUGARS ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Sahira Shrestha*, Sarah Suwal, Aanchal Tamrakar and Dikshyant Malla

The rising rates of obesity in children worldwide have become a major health issue, posing a problem for both high-income and low-income countries. Added sugar consumption, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, has been largely identified as a significant contributor to pediatric obesity. This scoping review aims to study the effects of additional sugar consumption on childhood obesity by synthesizing existing literature and identifying effective intervention strategies. Articles published from 1980 to January 2024 were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and the World Health Organization website. The review highlights a significant association between increased consumption of additional sugar, especially from drinks that have added sugar, and higher childhood obesity rates. Studies have shown that children who consume ≥10% of their daily calorie intake from sugar-added foods have a markedly higher chance of developing obesity in comparison to children consuming <10%. Additionally, sweets, processed grains, cereals, and sugar-added beverages were found to be the primary sources of additional sugar intake in kids. High added sugar intake, particularly from drinks sweetened with sugar, contributes to the growing epidemic of weight gain in pediatric age groups. While interventions targeting added sugar reduction show promise, addressing childhood obesity requires multifaceted approaches that encompass education, environmental modifications, and policy changes. Efforts to combat childhood obesity must prioritize the reduction of added sugar intake and promote healthier dietary habits among children and adolescents.