Pediatric expert urges parents to rethink added sugars in kids’ daily nutrition
Added sugar has quietly found its way into the daily diets of many Filipino children—and most parents don’t even realize it.
A 2024 study by UNICEF Philippines and the Consortium for Improving Complementary Foods in Southeast Asia (COMMIT) revealed that more than one-third of foods marketed to young children in the country contain added sugars or sweeteners. These products, often positioned as “everyday nutrition,” have become a major yet hidden source of excess sugar. At the same time, the number of overweight Filipino children has tripled since 2003—a rate now considered high by global standards.
For The Medical City Ortigas pediatrician Dr. Marthony Basco, widely known as Dr. Ato Basco, the concern goes far beyond the numbers on a weighing scale.
“A fat child is not a healthy child,” he stresses, warning that habits formed early—especially excess sugar intake—can set the stage for long-term health problems.
Why Sugar Deserves a Second Look
When parents think of sugar, they often picture candies, desserts, or soft drinks. But sugar doesn’t always announce itself so clearly. It frequently appears in everyday foods under less familiar names such as sucrose, maltodextrin, or high fructose corn syrup—ingredients added to enhance taste and palatability, even in products meant for children’s regular consumption.
This is why nutrition experts emphasize looking beyond quantity and paying closer attention to what children consume consistently.
The Real Risks of “Hidden” Sugars
According to Dr. Basco, excessive sugar intake during childhood can have lasting consequences.
“Obesity and being overweight are linked to diabetes, hypertension, forms of allergy like asthma, and even some types of cancer later in life,” he explains.
The effects aren’t only long-term. In the short term, diets high in added sugars may contribute to:
- Tooth decay (bulok na ngipin)
- Behavioral concerns such as hyperactivity and difficulty regulating energy
- Stronger preferences for sweet flavors, making healthier food choices harder to introduce
“Malaking portion ng obesity may kinalaman sa wrong diet, most specifically, sa milk or gatas,” Dr. Basco adds—highlighting how milk choices play a critical role in shaping a child’s nutrition.
Why Milk Choices Matter
Milk is often seen as the foundation of a child’s diet, which makes it especially important to examine what’s inside the carton. While milk naturally contains essential nutrients for growth, some products include added sugars that quietly increase a child’s daily sugar intake.
Nutrition advocates now urge parents to prioritize freshness and transparency. Milk options made from fresh milk, processed through a simple one-step method, and delivered from cow to can with minimal modification help preserve milk’s natural nutritional value. Choosing products without added sugars like sucrose or maltodextrin supports healthier eating habits—and helps prevent children from developing a strong dependence on sweet flavors early in life.
A More Mindful Approach for Parents
Addressing the “silent sugar” problem doesn’t mean banning all sweets. It begins with awareness: reading ingredient labels, understanding how sugars are listed, and recognizing that everyday staples can contribute significantly to a child’s overall sugar intake.
By being more mindful of added sugars—and choosing food and milk options that emphasize freshness and minimal processing—parents can help protect their children from health risks that often develop quietly over time.
For more insights on children’s nutrition, follow Dr. Ato Basco on Facebook and TikTok.
