itstBy Dr. Joseph D. Lim
Earlier this year, the Indian Dental Association (IDA) and the World Dental Federation (FDI) held joint workshops to improve oral health by tackling the sugar and tobacco epidemics.
The outcome of the workshops was the development of the Mumbai Declaration on Sugary Drinks and Healthy Food, which was supported by several signatories including India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
By signing the declaration, organizations committed to several key areas of action. One such action was the observation of a National “No Sugar Day” which was held for the very first time this year on November 1.
For the first time, a National No Sugar Day raised awareness on the health risks caused by sugar consumption. A sugarless month in India is in the pipeline, with the aim of reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases.
The plan includes an extensive social media Less Sugar Advocacy campaign for the public and professionals. A school oral health program promoting better nutrition and awareness on free sugars is also being worked out. And a quiz and challenges for dental students in dental institutes are in the works.
The FDI commends the efforts of its member IDA and encourages members all around the world to take inspiration from this initiative to reduce the burden of oral diseases globally and improve oral health for all.
We hope that a similar No Sugar Day, or even a No Sugar Month, also comes to our islands. All to promote public awareness of too much sugar consumption.
We are not advocating for a total no-sugar lifestyle. Far from it. We are as much sugar lovers than the average Pepe and Pilar.
Filipinos, in fact, are sugar lovers.
Filipinos consumes around 2.5 million tons of sugar each year, making it one of the largest consumers in Asia, along with India, China, Indonesia and Thailand, according to ChiniMandi, a sugar industry newsletter in India.
The Filipino sugar consumption equates to 23.5 kilograms on a per capita basis, “near its historic high,” ChiniMandi says.
According to the newsletter, “per-capita consumption is higher than might be expected given the Philippines’ low GDP per capita.” However, it says, such a discrepancy is not unusual in a sugar-producing country.
The sugar industry contributes no less than P70 billion annually to the economy, according to our Sugar Regulatory Administration.
A sugar-free day, even month? Now, that is a most wishful thinking. But we can certainly try to limit consumption, for our own good — and for the good of our sweet tooth.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De La Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./WDJ