Baby formula: How added sugars predispose children to diabetes, hypertension

Added sugars predispose children to future cases of diabetes and hypertension, research reveals 

A recent report has revealed that consumption of too much added sugar during pregnancy and in the baby’s first two years is likely to increase the risk of health complications later in life 

The report examined the effects of leveraging quasi-experimental variation from the end of the United Kingdom’s sugar rationing in September 1953.

Upon comparing an event study design with UK Biobank data on adults conceived just before or after rationing ended, the researchers found that early-life rationing reduced diabetes and hypertension risk by about 35 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. It also delayed disease onset by four and two years. 

Protection was evident with in-utero exposure and increased with postnatal sugar restriction, especially after six months, when solid foods were introduced to the infants. 

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Scientists reveal that the brain and body are advancing towards full development within the first 1,000 days of life.

Notably, during the pregnancy, whatever the mother eats gets processed into nutrients for the foetus.

“When a woman gets pregnant and takes foods that are high in sugar, such can lead to high pressure during pregnancy and can cause the infant to be born obese,” says nutritionist Faith Gitahi

She noted the effect of added sugar on infants can be more on urban dwellers compared to rural mothers.

“It’s in the urban areas where mothers are ever busy, they get into pregnancy and crave for a lot of sugary foods while spending the whole day sitting at work, while rural women tend to move up and down in daily activities,” she adds.

She cited a report released in 2018 by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which revealed that about 47 per cent of women in Nairobi were overweight or obese compared to 26 per cent of women in rural areas.

The nutritionist explains that high intake of added sugar could also lead to high blood pressure during pregnancy, leading to eclampsia.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, adults are advised to reduce free sugar intake to less than five per cent of their total energy intake for additional health benefits. 

The guidelines recommend that adults consume less than 40 grammes of added sugars per day, and that children under the age of two consume no added sugars. 

Consumption of other rationed foods, such as cheese, milk, and fresh fruits remained relatively constant once rationing ended. 

The researchers found that people who experienced sugar rationing early in life were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure in adulthood than people who did not experience sugar rationing.

The risk of developing diabetes among people who rationed early in life was about 62 per cent of the risk experienced by those whose sugar intake was not rationed.

The risk of developing hypertension among those who experienced rationing was about 79 per cent of the risk of those who did not.

Infants who experienced sugar rationing early weren’t immune to developing chronic conditions, but are prone to happen later in life.

If one experienced sugar rationing in utero, they are less likely to develop diabetes and hypertension even if the participant did not experience rationing after birth.

In the ongoing global dialogue about childhood nutritional effects, attention has been drawn to certain practices of major food companies.

In May, Nestlé was in the spotlight for applying a “double standard” in sugar levels contained in its ‘Cerelac’ baby food product in low- and middle-income countries.

This report originated from a study conducted by Public Eye, a non-partisan, independent investigative organisation based in Switzerland.

According to the report, the baby cereal sold in Switzerland contains no added sugar. However, a serving of the same product distributed in Senegal and South Africa has 6 grammes of added sugar.

Responding to the allegations, Nestle said via its website, “We have reduced the sugar in many of our infant cereals. While there are added sugars in some, we are making progress towards reducing this further, as well as providing more options without added sugar. 

WHO guidelines further show that no added sugar should be used in foods for infants under the age of three.

After the report raised concerns, Mandatory front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWLs) emerged as a potential evidence-based solution to address the challenge.

The labels are effective in helping consumers identify products high in harmful ingredients like sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat, and improve awareness of the health risks associated with these foods and beverages.

Despite the availability of several types of front-of-pack labelling, studies have shown that the most effective are warning labels that appear on the front package.

According to local and international activists, this disparity is fuelling obesity among infants and needs to be curbed.

“We strongly advocate for the urgent implementation of evidence-based mandatory FOPWLs in Kenya. By providing clear and accessible information about the sugar content in food products, the Ministry of Health can empower parents to make healthier choices and protect children’s health from the dangers of excessive sugar consumption,” said Celine Awuor, CEO of the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA).

Prioritising the implementation of FOPWLs is aimed at holding companies accountable for their actions and protecting the health and well-being of children.