UK - Health experts back Government's plans to reduce the recommended daily allowance of sugar

HEALTH professionals have backed plans to halve the recommended daily allowance for sugar to try to tackle childhood obesity.

Vicky Whillan, a specialist dietitian for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, spoke to the Mail and said she was pleased with the announcement.

She said: "Having a high sugar diet can be linked to obesity, type-two diabetes as well as causing dental decay."

Nutrition advisers are now saying no more than five per cent of peoples diet should be made up from sugar, which is around 30g or seven level teaspoons.

However, research from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition states people of all ages consume double this amount.

Ms Whillan said: "I don't think people are aware of just how much sugar a day they are consuming. If you drink sugary tea you can get up to your allowance in two or three cups and that is not including sugars found in other foods. Sugar is addictive, not a true and medical addiction, but it is processed the same way.

"People have sweets or energy drinks and it gives them a buzz that they want to maintain so they take on more sugar."

She warned that people don't see drinks as calorific and this is a real worry.

Ms Whillan added: "People seem to be more aware that if they have extra snacks they will have a smaller meal but the same is not reflected when people have drinks.

"From the early 90s to 2013, obesity in four to eight-year-olds and 11 to 15-year-olds has doubled. Anything that can try to tackle this problem is great news."

Dr Yasminder Virdee, of Alexandra Dental Care, in Swadlincote, spoke about the results from the children's dental health survey which happens every 10 years, the last one being in 2013.

She said: "For children aged between 12 and 15 the figures for tooth decay have actually gone down and this is great news.

"We are trying to educate patients that brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is important.

"We also want to educate people on the effects of sugar in their diets."

South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler has said she is also in favour of these changes.

She said: "It is very important to have a healthy and balanced diet and, as long as people are provided with good information, I think sensible changes can be made which look after people's teeth and overall health.

"Families are educating children and this will have a positive effect on the situation."