Teenagers unaware of the damaging effects of sports drinks
According to new figures published in the British Dental Journal, As many as 90% of school children regularly drink sports drinks. The report discovered that the high-acid, high-sugar drinks are drunk by 90% of children aged between 12 and 14 – even though the children are aware of how damaging the liquid is to their teeth.
It is now understood that children assume the sports drinks are marketed at everyone, not just adults that regularly play sports, due to their colourful branding and advertising.
Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA, commented that ‘sports drinks offer no health benefits to children, and are helping fuel an epidemic of tooth decay.’
‘It’s no accident that we are seeing such high levels of consumption among children. Cynical marketing is driving demand, and it is time Government drew a line.’
The government has now been called on by the BDA to include energy drinks in the sugar tax currently in effect on the soft drinks industry. The researchers have pointed out that as energy drinks are sold in the same category in shops as fizzy drinks, they should be included in the levy and should follow the same restrictions on their displays and marketing schemes.
The following figures were produced by the study:
- 89% of school children drink energy drinks
- 73% know that water is an alternative when exercising
- 68% of children consume between one and seven energy drinks a week
- 45.9% of all participants believed sports drinks should be consumed by everyone, regardless of age or levels of physical activity
- 65% understand that energy drinks can lead to poor oral health and tooth decay.
Mick continued to say, ‘Big business is getting away with targeting children with products designed for athletes. High in both sugars and acids, these are not everyday drinks. And if they are going to be displayed alongside colas, they should be subject to the same taxes.’
‘Water remains the drink of choice when undertaking moderate exercise, and is the safest option for both oral and general health.’
The research is published in the British Dental Journal and is titled ‘Knowledge of and attitudes to sports drinks of adolescents living in South Wales UK’.
