Public Health England has launched a new Change4Life campaign encouraging parents to make simple swaps to cut down on the amount of sugar their children consume. The campaign follows a survey among users of parenting website Netmums which revealed that nearly half (47 per cent) of mums think their families have too much sugar in their diets, while two-thirds (67 per cent) are worried about the amount of sugar their children consume. Overconsumption of sugar means extra calories, which causes fat to build up inside the body, increasing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers in later life.

Unfortunately, research has revealed that children aged four to 10 years are consuming up to 50 per cent more than the recommended 10 per cent calorie intake from sugar. Families can search ‘Change4Life’ and register online for a free sugar swap pack that includes hints, tips and recipe suggestions, as well as money-off vouchers, swap cards and stickers.