The Importance of Sugar in the Diet of the School Child

Abstract

For many years it has been customary to regard sugar, especially extra allowances in the form of “sweets” and “tuck,” as harmful to children, particularly with regard to the development and health of the teeth.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that the child's natural desire for such substances has a physiological basis which can only be thwarted at considerable risk to the general health—that in fact a great deal of minor illness amongst children of school age, the nature of which is indicated, is due to a relative insufficiency of sugar in the diet.