The Students as Lifestyle Activists survey of 2056 teenagers from 23 high schools has refocussed attention on the diabetes epidemic that threatens to devastate Western Sydney communities.
A senior NSW Health executive recently ignited debate around diabetes when he claimed that unless lifestyle change occurred factories would have to be built to service the need for diabetes-related amputations.
Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Danny O’Connor said diabetes was increasing at a rate that would the public health system and break the funding model unless action was taken.
The SALSA survey did little to dampen fears, with more than 56% admitting to drinking fruit juice every day while 13% of teenagers took a daily dose of energy drinks.
SALSA is a peer education program which motivates high school students to make healthier lifestyle choices by helping them to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
“It’s well known that sugar sweetened beverages are not part of a healthy diet yet high school students are drinking them regularly and often excessively,” program lead A/Professor Smita Shah said.
Participation in the SALSA program led to a six per cent reduction in high school students’ sugar sweetened drink consumption last year.
Dr Kean-Sing Lim, Mount Druitt GP and founding member of the SALSA program said teens are at risk of serious health issues.
“Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, which include soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks and sports drinks are associated with weight gain and obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
“The healthiest drink choice is water. It’s readily available and importantly, it’s free”
If you are interested in being part of the solution, contact the WSLHD Primary Health Care Education and Research Unit on 9845 6505.
