SUGAR SMART campaign to make Hackney a healthier borough
Campaign to make Hackney a healthier borough
Excessive consumption of sugary drinks and food can be a major cause of childhood obesity. 1 in 7 children are already obese when starting reception and this proportion almost doubles to 1 in 4 when they leave primary school. Taking action to reduce sugar consumption at an early age is therefore vital to help prevent obesity and ensure good health. Launching SUGAR SMART in Hackney means we can work together to make the borough a healthier place for all residents.
A campaign will be launched on Wednesday 29 November from 4pm to 6pm at Urswick School in Paragon Road to help make Hackney a healthier borough.
SUGAR SMART Hackney was launched by Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Devolution. The campaign aims to educate and help people to reduce their excessive intake of sugar consumption which can lead to obesity and diabetes in adults and children.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Devolution, said: “Excessive consumption of sugary drinks and food can be a major cause of childhood obesity. 1 in 7 children are already obese when starting reception and this proportion almost doubles to 1 in 4 when they leave primary school. Taking action to reduce sugar consumption at an early age is therefore vital to help prevent obesity and ensure good health. Launching SUGAR SMART in Hackney means we can work together to make the borough a healthier place for all residents.”
Cllr McShane presented certificates to schools and community groups who have already made SUGAR SMART pledges, including Mandeville Primary School, Holmleigh Primary School and Urswick Secondary School.
Richard Brown, Headteacher at Urswick Secondary School, said: “We have banned all soft drinks, sweets and confectionery at the school as these can be major sources of sugar for children and adolescents which is also bad for their health. We also provide free school meals for all students to help provide the foundation for educational achievement.”
It’s brilliant that the London Borough of Hackney have joined us and are launching their own SUGAR SMART campaign. They’ll be joining us in raising awareness about the long-term damage too much sugar can have on our health, and empowering us all to reduce it in our diets.
We're facing a growing obesity crisis where one in three children are leaving primary school either overweight or obese, seriously increasing their chances of developing diet-related diseases, like type-2 diabetes, earlier in adult life. Eating nutritious food and getting regular exercise will help us all lead healthier and happier lives.
Angela Church, who has transformed food at Mandeville Primary School in her role as Head Chef, will be providing alternative sugar smart ‘after school snacks’ as an alternative to the usual sugary drinks and snacks widely available.
She said: “Mandeville Primary School is supportive of the aims of the campaign as we are concerned about the high amounts of sugar eaten by children. We have set up a school nutrition action group and started Healthy Eating lessons, as well as reducing sugar in all of our baked goods. We have also eliminated any bought in products from our school menus to help our students better understand and reduce their sugar intake.”
SUGAR SMART Hackney has been organised by the Council and Hackney Food Partnership and is jointly funded by the Council and Sustainable Food Cities. It is part of a national campaign being delivered by similar food partnerships in cities and boroughs across the UK, led by Sustain and Jamie Oliver.
Organisations that have signed up include Cordwainers Grow, Made in Hackney, Maisie Poppins childcare and Shoreditch Trust.
To find out how your school or organisation can get involved go to https://www.hackney.gov.uk/sugar-smart