Sugar Summit to map out next phase in war on decay and obesity
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 13th November 2018
Public health leaders, academics and campaigners will gather at the British Dental Association today to map out the next phase on the war on sugar.
The BDA Sugar and Oral Health Summit aims to set out the policy responses to both tooth decay and systemic diseases that need to follow in the wake of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and Childhood Obesity Strategy. Tooth decay and obesity remain the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in the U.K. and worldwide.
Voices from the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and leading dental and medical organisations will look at innovative approaches to securing changes in behaviour from both consumers and industry, and evaluate lessons drawn from campaigns and officials working to lower salt and calorie intake.
Tooth decay remains the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children across the U.K. The BDA was a leading advocate for a Sugar Tax, which finally came into effect on 6 April 2018.
The BDA’s Health and Science chair Russ Ladwa said:
“Dentists see the damage Britain’s sugar addiction does every day. We’ve won the argument for a sugar tax, but that must not mark the end of tough action on a common agent fuelling epidemics of tooth decay and obesity.
“We’ve set out to bring together leading voices from across healthcare, academia and advocacy, with heavyweight UK and international experience. Our objective is to look at the latest evidence and innovative policies that can open up the next front on the war on sugar.”
