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Indian Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on the fast and junk foods, sugar sweetened beverages, fruit juices, and energy drinks
This 2019 article presents the recommendations given by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics on child consumption of fast food and junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices, and energy drinks. It is important to develop guidelines on the intake of foods and drinks that can potentially increase obesity and related non-communicable diseases in children and adolescents. The literature, guidelines, and policy regulations on these foods were evaluated by a National Conservative Group constituted by part of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). The group created an acronym for unhealthy foods. ‘JUNCS’ stands for Junk foods, Ultra-processed foods, nutritionally inappropriate foods, Caffeinated/colored/carbonated foods/beverages, and Sugar-sweetened beverages. These foods and drinks were associated with higher body mass index (BMI), and with free sugar and energy intake in children and adolescents. Consuming caffeinated drinks may be linked with cardiac and sleep disturbances. Therefore, the Group recommends that children and adolescents avoid consuming the JUNCS as much as possible, and at least limit their intake to one serving per week. In addition, the Group advocates for the eating of seasonal and regional whole fruits rather than drinking fruit juices. Infants and young children under the age of 2 years should not be given fruit juices or drinks, while older children should also limit their intake levels. Children aged 2-5 years should drink a maximum of 125mL daily, whereas 5–18-year-olds can have a limit of 250mL per day. The Group did not approve any energy drinks to be consumed by neither children nor adolescents. This group of stakeholders also supported a ban on JUNCS food sales in school canteens and in the vicinity of the schools. Similarly, they recommended a legal ban of screen/print/digital advertisements of all the JUNCS foods by channels/magazines/websites/social media catering to children and adolescents. There were several suggestions put forward that would help increase availability and affordability of healthy foods and snacks. Lastly, the Group had ideas on strategies for promoting consumption of healthy foods and limiting availability and consumption of the JUNCS foods. [NPID: India, recommendations, guidelines, diet, healthy diet, unhealthy diet, junk food, fast food, energy drinks, children, adolescents]
Year: 2019
