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Diabetes Association Calls For Taxation of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Ultra-Processed Foods28/2/2024 The Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT) is commending the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, for his “bold statements” at the U Health Exposition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Trinidad, on Monday (26th February, 2024), highlighting the critical issue of our nation's addiction to high-sugar drinks and fatty foods. In a Media Release on Tuesday (27th February, 2024), the DATT said Minister Deyalsingh’s recognition of the role international fast-food brands play in feeding this addiction, “underscores a growing concern that demands immediate action. The Minister's naming of these popular brands for the first time deserves high praise. In response to the Minister's call for collaboration to combat the unhealthy lifestyles leading to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the DATT reaffirms its commitment to support the Government in implementing regulations, policies, and legislation aimed at reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods in Trinidad and Tobago. Our dedication to this cause is rooted in the alarming rise in diabetes and other NCDs, which are significantly impacted by dietary choices.” In 2023, the DATT said it conducted a ‘Junk Food Survey’ as “part of our ongoing efforts to understand and mitigate the consumption of unhealthy foods among our population, and particularly our young people. The results highlighted a pressing need for concerted action to address the obesogenic environment contributing to our nation's health crisis. This comprehensive survey engaged 954 young individuals across Trinidad and Tobago, covering a wide age range from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35) years. The findings reveal a significant inclination towards fast food consumption among the youth, with a staggering 88.4% admitting to eating fast food at least once a week. Alarmingly, more than one-third of these respondents reported consuming fast food more than three (3) times per week. The survey also shed light on dietary habits concerning fruit and vegetable intake. Despite universally accepted recommendations suggesting the consumption of four (4) to five (5) servings of fruits and vegetables daily, the survey results were far from meeting these guidelines. Only 23% of respondents met the target for vegetable intake, and a mere 13% did for fruit. Furthermore, about half of the participants failed to include a fruit or vegetable in their diet on more than one day of a typical week, highlighting a significant gap in nutritional adherence.” According to the DATT, fast food preferences among Trinidad and Tobago's youth were dominated by well-known chains, with the popularity rankings as follows: KFC (88%), Doubles (78%), Chinese (72%), Subway (68%), Churches (65%), Royal Castle (63%), Pizza Hut (61%), BBQ (59%), and Gyros/Burgers (54%). “This preference hierarchy indicates a diverse palate but also underscores the dominance of fast food in the young population's daily diet.” According to the American Heart Association, women and children should not consume more than six (6) teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar per day and men more than nine (9) teaspoons per day (36 grams). However, based on the nutrition facts panel of most popular Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB), the majority contains ten (10) to sixteen (16) teaspoons of added sugar or more — more than the entire daily recommendation is just one bottle. “Our survey showed that the most popular soft drink, one (1) in three (3), in T&T were the colas or ‘black soft drinks,’ with more than 75% of young people consuming soft drinks at least twice in a typical week. Interestingly, the survey delved into the reasons behind the preference for fast food, with taste and convenience emerging as the primary factors. Most respondents perceived the price of fast food to be comparable to healthier food options, suggesting that cost is not a deterrent. Instead, the appealing taste and the convenience of fast food were the main attractions driving their consumption patterns.” The DATT notes that these findings from its ‘Junk Food Survey’ paint a “concerning picture of dietary trends among the youth in Trinidad and Tobago towards unhealthy ultra-processed foods. This signals a need for concerted efforts to promote healthier eating habits and address the underlying factors contributing to these choices. Drawing on the successful strategies discussed at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), ‘Accelerating the Removal of Ultra-Processed Products From Caribbean Schools - The Food in Our Schools Matters’ meeting in July 2023, we advocate for a comprehensive approach to removing ultra-processed products from our schools and communities.” According to the DATT, these strategies include:
The DATT added, “It is well known that fast food companies continue to infiltrate our schools through sponsorships of sports teams, scholarships, and other school-related activities. This must be stopped to protect our children from the allure of unhealthy food choices. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of increasing access to and availability of healthy foods. By enhancing the infrastructure and policies that support the production, distribution, and marketing of fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods, we can create an environment that encourages and facilitates healthier eating habits.” The DATT said it is “particularly concerned about the impact of ultra-processed foods on our youth and working-age population. Focusing on young people, the largest and most vulnerable segment of our population, on marketing tactics, is crucial. Evidence from around the world, endorsed by PAHO/WHO and the HCC, supports the effectiveness of these measures in creating healthier food environments. We look forward to working closely with the Government, other civil society organizations within the TTNCDA (Trinidad and Tobago NCD Alliance), and other stakeholders to implement these strategies. By doing so, we can make significant strides in combating the NCD epidemic and fostering a healthier future for all Trinidadians and Tobagonians.” We are a small operation. If you've found our articles to be informative, please consider supporting us via PayPal or buying us a coffee. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated and goes a long way. Simply sharing our articles also helps us. Sign up for our free WhatsApp Alerts to be notified as soon as we post breaking news. NEW! Check out our Merchandise Store for high-quality t-shirts, hats and more!
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