Dutch Teens Consume 90 Sugar Cubes Weekly in Drinks

In light of a recent study revealing high sugary drink consumption among Dutch teenagers, regional health board association GGD and Amsterdam’s VU University are advocating for the implementation of a “smart sugar tax”.

On average, adolescents aged 12 to 16 consume 9.5 glasses of sugary beverages weekly, with some consuming up to 16.5 glasses—equating to approximately 90 sugar cubes each week.

Researchers have found these figures to be concerning. “I was quite surprised by the findings,” stated health scientist Rianne Pepping during an interview with broadcaster NOS. “Higher sugar intake significantly increases the risk of becoming overweight and developing type 2 diabetes,” she added.

Approximately 400,000 children in the Netherlands are classified as overweight, with 25% falling into the obese category.

The substantial sugar intake among teenagers surpasses the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. For instance, the maximum weekly sugar allowance is 44 cubes for moderately active 12-year-old girls and 79 cubes for very active 16-year-old boys.

The category of sugary drinks encompasses beverages like fruit juices, sodas, cordials, iced teas, sports, and energy drinks. “Essentially, these are all sugar-laden drinks that lack any nutritional benefits,” Pepping noted.

The study also revealed that most teens indicated they would forgo purchasing sugary drinks if their price exceeded €3 for a small can, suggesting cost plays a significant role in their choices.

Although the new government plans to enact a sugar tax by 2030, researchers advocate for an expedited implementation. A sooner introduction of the tax could incentivize beverage manufacturers to reduce sugar content and motivate teenagers to opt for healthier alternatives.