The availability of novelty sweets within high school localities

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Food Science

Background:

• Global public health policies aim to reduce sugar consumption, a challenge due to high sugar content in beverages, confectionery, and hidden sources.
• The expanding UK novelty sweet market poses risks for children and young adults, contributing to dental caries, erosion, and obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prevalent novelty sweets near UK high schools.
• To assess their pricing, retail availability, and in-store display strategies.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a scoping study of shops within a 10-minute walk of five Cardiff high schools representing varying deprivation levels.
• Included shops in Cardiff city center and three supermarkets to identify common novelty sweets.

Main Results:

• The top ten novelty sweets identified include Brain Licker, Push Pop, and Juicy Drop.
• Seventy-three percent of shops displayed these sweets on low, accessible shelves; 37% placed them in checkout areas.
• Prices ranged from £0.39 to £1.00.

Conclusions:

• Accessible, affordable, and appealing novelty sweets are widely available to children and young adults.
• Health educators and policymakers must address the evolving confectionery landscape and its impact on child health.
• Further research is needed to understand the full impact of these sweets on general and dental health.