Sugary foods and beverages are a human vulnerability. Children tend to consume them far more frequently than adults. It goes without saying that the health impact of such consumption is overwhelmingly negative. To secure a healthier future generation, we must prioritize education, enforce regulation, and implement continuous monitoring—because, as the saying goes, health is wealth.
Sri Lankan pre-school children consume sugar at four times the recommended level, and around 60 percent regularly consume sweetened drinks. Many of these children rarely eat adequate amounts of fruits and leafy greens. Health professionals recommend that children consume at least two servings of fruit, two servings of vegetables, and one type of green leafy vegetable daily. However, studies show that fewer than 20 percent of children meet these dietary requirements, while over 80 percent fall short.
Excessive sugar intake can lead to a host of health issues in children, including weight gain, increased risk of chronic diseases, dental decay, and even cognitive and behavioral problems. It can also suppress the immune system and crowd out nutrient-rich foods, resulting in nutritional deficiencies. Excess sugar contributes to the accumulation of harmful internal fat, which is invisible to the eye but can lead to serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Sugary foods and drinks are typically high in calories but low in nutritional value, contributing significantly to weight gain and increasing the risk of childhood obesity. Excessive sugar intake, particularly when coupled with weight gain, can lead to insulin resistance—a key precursor to type 2 diabetes. Moreover, high sugar consumption is associated with elevated blood pressure, increased inflammation, and raised levels of unhealthy fats in the blood, all of which are major risk factors for heart disease. It can also lead to fat accumulation in the liver, potentially resulting in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
A sugar-rich diet can weaken the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. Long-term excessive sugar intake has been linked to serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and inflammatory disorders like asthma.
Beyond physical health, sugar impacts mental and emotional well-being. The rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels caused by sugary foods can trigger mood swings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. While further research is ongoing, some studies suggest that high sugar intake may impair cognitive function and memory. Additionally, there is growing evidence linking excessive sugar consumption to the early onset of puberty in girls.
Observations from Sri Lankan school teachers indicate that many children across all age groups display these concerning symptoms. Mood swings, irritability, poor concentration, memory issues, and early puberty in schoolgirls are increasingly common. Aggressive behaviour among schoolchildren is also on the rise, often exceeding normal limits. This troubling reality is frequently visible on television news, with reports of violent behaviour involving schoolchildren becoming more common.
Despite these visible patterns, there appears to be little awareness among parents, teachers, or the broader public about the connection between these behavioral and health issues and excessive sugar consumption, along with unhealthy dietary habits. Raising awareness and taking action are critical steps toward safeguarding the physical and mental health of our children.
It is a concern to see how many young parents allow their children to consume excessive amounts of sugar without any restrictions, under the false belief that it causes no harm. This same negligence is evident among school authorities. Although the Ministry of Education has clearly issued guidelines outlining what should and should not be sold in school canteens, most canteens continue to be stocked with sugary foods and beverages. Rarely do they offer healthier alternatives such as rice, grains, and other nutritious items recommended by the Ministry. In practice, canteen operators prioritise their own preferences and profit over the well-being of students, and regrettably, school authorities fail to enforce compliance. No action is taken against vendors who flout these regulations, and unhealthy food and drink continue to be sold freely.
Reducing sugar consumption is critical for the health and well-being of children. Both parents and school administrators must pay closer attention to the sugar content in foods and drinks and shift towards offering nutrient-rich, balanced meals that support children’s physical and cognitive development. After all, they are responsible for shaping the future generation of this country.
According to 2021 data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 83 percent of all deaths in Sri Lanka were due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Around one-fifth of these were premature deaths linked to risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity. Cardiovascular diseases alone accounted for 40 percent of all deaths, with ischemic heart disease and stroke contributing approximately 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.
NCDs—including diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and cancers—are responsible for nearly 90 percent of Sri Lanka’s disease burden. The economic cost of preventing and treating these conditions is substantial and continues to grow.
A major contributing factor is the widespread consumption of unhealthy diets rich in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. If this trend is to be reversed, stronger regulatory control over these harmful ingredients is essential. The health of the next generation depends on the food choices we make today.
Source: Daily News
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