Santiago de Compostela – Limiting the consumption of simple sugars and ultra-processed foods in schools is a “necessary and appropriate” measure to protect the health of children and adolescents. This was stated on the Galician radio program "La Ventana" by the president of the Spanish Society for Research in Pediatric Nutrition and Food (SEINAP), who emphasized that simple sugars should not contribute more than 5% of total calories in the diet.

Rosaura Leis explained that foods at the top of the food pyramid, those that should be consumed only occasionally and in small quantities, are usually high in sugars and saturated fats. “These types of products contribute to increased body fat, obesity, and the development of metabolic diseases such as hypercholesterolemia or insulin resistance,” she warned.

According to the specialist, these conditions should be prevented from childhood, as they can not only manifest during childhood but also influence future health through what is known as metabolic programming. “We are influencing, from a very early age, the diseases that will appear in adulthood and even life expectancy,” she points out.

The president of SEINAP also highlights the key role of schools as spaces for nutritional education and considers it essential to prevent children from having direct access to unhealthy products. “The ban on their sale in schools is a decision consistent with public health objectives,” she states.

However, the data collected in the consultation reflect a worrying trend: children and adolescents are abandoning traditional diets, such as the Atlantic or Mediterranean diets, and adopting a more Westernized diet, with a greater consumption of processed foods. Although the ALADINO 2023 study indicates a slight decrease in overweight and obesity among children aged 6 to 9, the figures remain high. “Almost 37% of children are overweight, which has a direct impact on their health,” Leis reminds us.

The pediatrician also warns about the increasingly common habit of eating in front of screens. “Scientific societies advise against this practice, since eating in front of a screen encourages greater food consumption and poorer food choices,” she explains. In contrast, she defends eating as a social act that fosters healthy habits: “Sharing meals, culinary traditions, and family conversations are key to healthy eating.”