JUST one can of fizzy drink can push a child over their recommended daily sugar intake, according to new research.
The warning is highlighted in a report by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH), which has also found a fifth of children in Northern Ireland are overweight and a further seven per cent are obese.
New research has also revealed more than a third of 11 to 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland drink sugar sweetened drinks at least once a day, with boys drinking more than girls.
The findings were presented yesterday at an all-island conference held in Belfast to mark World Obesity Day.
A report by Dr Joanne Purdy and Dr Noelle Cotter said a child can end up exceeding their recommended daily intake of sugar by consuming just one fizzy drink.
The conference also heard that 21 per cent of children in the north are overweight and seven per cent are obese, while 35 per cent of adults are overweight and 25 per cent obese.
In their presentation entitled, 'A Spoonful of Sugar', they said findings from a 2014/2015 health survey in Northern Ireland found a worrying level of sugary drinks are being consumed.
They said 34 per cent of 11-16 year olds in Northern Ireland consume sugary drinks daily, while three in 10 adults consume them most days of the week or daily.
They added that "young people, males and those from lower socio-economic groups are most frequent consumers of sugar-sweetened drinks (SSDs) across island of Ireland".
They said in "the context of World Obesity Day's focus on childhood obesity, one in four children across the island of Ireland are overweight or obese".
"World Health Organization guidelines state that free sugars should comprise less than 10 per cent of our daily energy intake with reductions below five per cent (approximately six teaspoons) per day would provide additional health benefits," they said.
"Consuming one 330 millilitre can of SSD could take a child over their recommended daily sugar intake."
