Wales' sugar mountain
PEOPLE in Wales consume more sugar from drinking fizzy drinks than any other region in the UK.
The average Welsh person devours an astonishing
428 bags of sugar during their lifetime through drinking fizzy drinks alone, according to a new survey.
Typically, each person gets through 0.88 cans - or 30.8 grams of sugar - every day.
This equates to a staggering 11,242 grams a year. And with an average lifespan of 78 years, this means a total consumption of 876,876 grams of sugar, per person.
Even more shockingly, given this sugar intake, the poll of 3,500 people, conducted by Philips Hydroclean to find out the state of the nation's teeth, found that only slightly more than half of people in Wales (53 per
cent) clean their teeth the recommended twice a day.
Plus, average time spent brushing is a measly 79 seconds, when two minutes is required to do a proper clean - also the shortest time out of any UK region.
This may explain why people in Wales on average have almost four fillings (3.9).
Dr Henriette Williams, BChD MDS, dental surgeon and family practitioner, a former lecturer in Preventive Dentistry and Epidemiology, believes that "although sugar is not the only factor that plays a role in the
development of oral disease, the control of intake is essential in preventing oral diseases such as tooth decay. If the intake of sugar is at the levels suggested in this report then regular and effective removal of
plaque is essential."
"Children consuming high levels of sugar are particularly vulnerable and parents should limit the consumption of sugary snacks and teach children
how to clean their teeth.
"This can be achieved by using a good quality toothbrush, a good brushing technique and fluoride toothpaste.
"Members of the oral health care team i.e. Dentists, Therapists and Hygienists should be involved in this process. Children must be made aware of the importance of healthy teeth."
A third of parents don't even bother checking their children clean their teeth properly and one in five are left clueless as to when to start brushing their children's teeth.
As a result of poor oral care, one fifth of respondents have suffered from inflamed gums, tooth loss with half admitting to having toothache.
Experts generally agree that sugar should form no more than 10 per cent of a person's daily intake, and people should eat only 10 teaspoons or 40 grams a day.
But hidden sugars which appear in canned or processed foods, sausages, cereal bars, smoothies, pies and pasties mean that the average person will
be totally unaware of the sheer quantity of sugar in their diet.
The survey revealed that two thirds have no idea how much sugar appears in items such as baked beans, cereal bars or bread.
Just a quarter of folk check the labels on the side of packaging to see sugar content in food and drink.
And only one in five know what the daily recommended allowance of sugar is.
Vivienne Palmer, spokesperson for Philips, said: '"We are all more aware of which foods are good for us and how to lead a healthier lifestyle these days, but we seem to take our teeth for granted.
"They need as much care as any other part of the body so we wanted to find out more about people's tooth care regimes and knowledge of sugary products so we can make it easy for anyone, young or old, to keep their teeth and gums in tip top condition."
Average Consumption
The poll showed that the average person has eight grams of sugar in their tea or coffee each day, along with one can of fizzy pop at 35 grams a time, and one glass of squash at 22.6 grams a time.
Breakfast usually tots up a further 5.7 grams, with most people having either a bowl of cereal or two slices of toast with butter.
A mid-morning snack, which for most respondents means a couple of biscuits, fruit or crisps, will increase sugar intake by 6.7 grams.
A typical lunch of a sandwich or soup with bread, followed by fruit and crisps added an average of 23.4 grams.
The average person would then have an afternoon snack of either a chocolate bar or biscuits, averaging 18.1 grams.
Dinner varied greatly between respondents - including meals such as meat and two veg, pasta with salad and garlic bread, stir-fry and curry - but the average sugar consumption was 8.2 grams.
Dessert - usually a yoghurt or some ice-cream - then added another 15.6 grams to the total intake.
Finally, a hot chocolate treat meant a final average of 22.9 grams.
And with each person eating one bag of sweets at 63 grams a week, as well as six units of alcohol at 15 grams a time - the TOTAL daily intake
exceeds 190 grams.
1:07pm Wednesday 21st May 2008
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