Dental Association praises Taranaki Bulls for encouraging schools to adopt ‘water only’ policies

Taranaki Bulls rugby players have been promoting water over sugary drinks to students of New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Primary School.
 

Taranaki District Health Board and the Taranaki Rugby Football Union are working together to encourage children to opt for water rather than high-sugar drinks.
 

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is supportive of this approach.
 

“The Association has put in a lot of work to encourage schools and early learning services to adopt ‘water only’ policies,” said Dr Rob Beaglehole, an NZDA spokesperson.
 

Dr Beaglehole says there are misconceptions from young people around keeping hydrated, and that they are often stunned to find out which drinks contain a high amount of sugar.
 

“So-called ‘sports drinks’ have 15 teaspoons of sugar. This simply isn’t needed for young people playing sport,” says Dr Beaglehole.
 

A consortium of public health groups is backing a NZDA-led 7-point Consensus Statement on Sugary Drinks.