Will the PHE sugar
reduction evidence package
work?
Corinna Hawkes
1
“High sugar intake is
associated with deprivation.
The NDNS found higher sugar
intakes in adults in the lowest
income compared to all other
income groups. Consumption
of sugary soft drinks was also
found to be higher among
adults & teens in the lowest
income group”
2
Source: National Dental Epidemiology Programme for England; oral health survey of
five year old children 2012. A report on the prevalence and severity of dental decay
3
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre. (2013) National Child
Measurement Programme data source. 2012/13.
4
“Reducing sugar intake would
also help reduce inequalities,
as the lowest income groups
suffer the highest burden of
sugar-related diseases and
have the highest intakes of
sugar in their diets”
5
Summary: Will the PHE sugar reduction evidence
package work?
YES if…
• the entire package is implemented with the goal of
empowering people to kick the sugar habit
• boost focus on earliest years so babies, kids, adults
learn to like a diverse, healthy diet
• research to identify how to reduce incentives to
produce/use sugar by the “sugar supply system”
• use actions that empower deprived groups to make
healthier decisions about their diets
6