Why Sugar

We are consuming 22kg of added sugar each year

There is a direct link between sugary drink consumption and obesity, dental cavities and Type 2 diabetes

1 in 3 Aussie kids will be overweight or obese by 2025.

There are now 42 million obese children in developed countries between the ages of 0 and 5

Adult-onset diabetes (Type 2 diabetes) is on the rise in children and young people

Half of Australia’s 12-year-olds have tooth decay in their adult teeth, and more than half of 6-year-olds have decay in their baby teeth

Today, 280 Australians will be diagnosed with all types of diabetes

Resources

What the experts say

Dr Aseem Malhotra, Action on Sugar

How does sugar compare to tobacco? A teaspoon of sugar or one cigarette will not harm you. But over time, the habit can be fatal. Unlike Big Tobacco, Big Sugar deliberately targets children. And added sugar has become so pervasive within the food environment that we can't avoid it even if we wanted to.  

Dr Debra Elsby, Paediatric Dentist

We have a large problem with tooth decay in all age groups. It is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, five times as common as asthma - 48% of five year olds have cavities. Negative experiences for these young children can lead to fear and phobia and costs are large for both the families and the government.

Professor Rob Moodie, University of Melbourne

Cutting our added sugar by half is the quickest, cheapest and most effective way of reducing chronic disease. We need all sides of politics to take these issues seriously, to support effective policies and water down the junk-food and junk-drink industries that are undermining our health.

Dr Rosemary Stanton OAM, Nutritionist

Over 80% of Australians' high sugar intake comes from 'discretionary' foods and drinks - what most of us call 'junk' foods. Sugar sweetened drinks are the worst culprits, contributing over half of our sugar. Next comes the thousands of confectionery snack foods (including muesli bars), then cakes, muffins and sweet biscu...