Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to increasing the risk of various diseases like obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases, health experts warned on Friday.
They were addressing an awareness seminar on protecting the health of youth from sugary drinks and sweetened beverages.
The moot titled “Enhancing the Impact of Digital Media Through Youth to Educate Society on the Negative Effects of Sugary Drinks and Sweetened Beverages” was organised by the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH).
They said the high consumption of sugary drinks was a major cause behind rise in obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, several types of cancer, and kidney and liver diseases.
Pakistan is ranked number one with the highest growth rate of diabetes during the last 10 years, they said.
The health experts maintained If immediate action was not taken, the number of people living with diabetes will increase to 62 million by 2045.
PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman said PANAH was raising awareness among healthy youth for a healthy Pakistan.
He urged the youth to understand the seriousness of this issue and work on war footing to reduce its consumption.
Food Policy Program Consultant at Global Health Advocacy Incubator Munawar Hussain said high consumption of sugary drinks was an increasing threat to the economy of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2022.
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