Sugar Sweetened Beverages and the Battle of Obesity
09 Sep 2016 --- Sugar reduction has really been a topic of interest this year, with the recent publication of the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan and its focus on the sugar levy and sugar reduction programs as a means of tackling obesity. The Sugar Reduction Summit, which is now in its third year, is the UK’s leading event for industry, public health, policy, science and academia and the health and wellness communities interested in the importance and challenges of sugar reduction.
This year, the Sugar Reduction Summit, which will take place at The Royal Society in London on Thursday 22nd September, will include a detailed analysis of the impact of the sugar levy with the OECD’s Health Economist Franco Sassi and Kate Smith from The Institute of Fiscal Studies, a perspective on potential legal challenges from Amandine Garde University of Liverpool and industry contribution from Gareth Barrett at the British Soft Drinks Association.
With the Childhood Obesity Plan’s focus on voluntary reformulation, the afternoon session will bring together Prof Susan Jebb former Chair of The Responsibility Deal and Elaine Arkin who oversaw the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation’s project to remove billions of calories from the food chain to discuss what a successful voluntary program might look like. Other topics include an update on sugars from SACN Chair Prof Ian Macdonald, a look at whether it’s possible to reach 5% with Prof Jack Winkler and Tanya Haffner and whether the UK might follow the US in separating sugar and added sugar or whether sugar quantity might be delineated on labels with teaspoons. The Summit will also include in depth analysis of the role of sweeteners in weight management and latest research on consumer perception of sweeteners.
Jean-Pierre Després, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval and Scientific Director of the ICCR will open the Summit by launching a Report Card for the UK based on results of the ICCR Global sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) Sale Barometer which monitors trends in SSB sales around the world. The ICCR have developed the Barometer recognizing energy-dense SSBs have systematically been found to be associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes rates.
ICCR and EHLA will then run a parallel session at the Summit, focusing on the importance of reducing sugar intake from beverages. The program will feature both scientific and behavior change experts in order to equip delegates with the tools to bring about change within their own sectors. This will include presentations from Prof Jean-Pierre Despres on abdominal obesity, Prof Luc Tappy University of Lausanne on SSBs and cardiometabolic risk, and Prof Bruce Griffin University of Surrey on evolving the science of nutrition to address over-consumption of SSBs. Afternoon sessions will provide practical guidance from behavior change experts. Dr Steve Mann from UK Active will examine the role of physical activity in delivering a healthier society and UCL’s Health Behavior Expert Dr Rebecca Beeken will look at how to deliver sustainable behavior change.
Heidi Williams, Director of Smooth Events who organized The Sugar Reduction Summit said: “We’re delighted to welcome the scientific expertise and invaluable research that ICCR have done on SSBs in to The Sugar Reduction Summit program. Their sessions give delegates the opportunity to delve into the science of nutrition and to gain a better understanding of the role of SSBs in sugar consumption and ultimately in obesity.”
Jean-Pierre Després, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval and Scientific Director of the ICCR said “The science is clear: the overconsumption of SSBs is directly linked with adverse health outcomes such as abdominal obesity, increased blood lipid levels and is associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The substantial rise in SSB sales in developing countries is most disturbing, we are excited to partner with The Sugar Reduction Summit to help industry, policy makers and academics understand and tackle this important issue.”
The Sugar Reduction Summit; Industry, Regulation and Public Health have joined forces with The International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk (ICCR) and European Healthy Lifestyle Alliance (EHLA) UK to create a combined program of policy, science and evidence led discussions around the issues of sugar reduction. This year’s Summit will take place on Thursday 22nd September at The Royal Society in London and will include ICCR and EHLA’s presentations on the science around SSBs and obesity.
