Bath & North East Somerset Council is searching for families who want to reduce their sugar intake and would like support in making healthier choices.
Too much sugar in our diets contributes to obesity, tooth decay and puts people at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Earlier this month Public Health England revealed that children in particular are facing serious health implications after a study suggested that the average child has eaten 18 years’ worth of sugar by the time they are ten.
Bath & North East Somerset’s Public Health Team is now looking for two families, one from the BA2 area covering Farmborough, Timsbury, Peasedown St John, Wellow, Hinton Charterhouse, Norton St Philip, Freshford, Limpley Stoke, and one from Radstock or Westfield, with children under the age of 16 who would like help to reduce their sugar intake while sharing their story and top tips with other residents throughout their experience.
They will receive support and guidance from Community Dietitian and Health Improvement Practitioners from Virgin Care over an eight-week period and be given the opportunity to take part in cookery sessions.
Councillor Vic Pritchard, cabinet member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing, said “We all eat way too much sugar. The recommended maximum daily amount of added sugar is seven-and- a-half teaspoons for adults and between three to six teaspoons for children depending on their age, but on average we consume three times this amount. This has serious implications for our health. Our SUGAR SMART family will receive professional advice and support. We hope that by sharing their experience they will encourage others to challenge themselves to be SUGAR SMART and make healthier swaps.”
For more information or to sign your family up, please contact SugarSmart@bathnes.gov.uk detailing your name and contact telephone number.
For handy hints and information on how to reduce the amount of sugar in your families diet visit: http://po.st/C4LBT You can also download the Change 4 Life Food Scanner app to find out how much sugar is in food and drink.
