The Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, through its community service program, conducted an educational outreach on the dangers of consuming foods and beverages high in sugar for elementary school teachers at SD Kanisius Jomegatan on Saturday (April 18, 2026).

The activity was led by the team chair, Dr. Das Salirawati, with members Dr. Erfan Priambodo, Metrid ewi Primastuti, and Dr. Marfuatun. The program was also supported by students of the Chemistry Education Department, namely Keysha Rahma Darelly, Nafisah Khairul Syifa, Bertania Indah Ayu Kinanti, and Dhila Alsa Afira.

The principal of the school, Theresia Mardinah, expressed appreciation for the program. She emphasized that education about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption is very important to introduce from an early age. “We are very grateful to the UNY team for providing education to students. This activity is very beneficial in instilling healthy lifestyle habits from an early age, especially in choosing food and drinks,” she said.

In the session, the team explained that excessive sugar consumption can lead to various negative health impacts, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

They also highlighted the importance of limiting daily sugar intake. For school-age children, the recommended limit is around three tablespoons of added sugar per day, as exceeding this amount can increase the risk of chronic diseases.

Educational materials were delivered through interactive methods and supporting media such as leaflets containing information on safe sugar consumption limits and its health impacts.

Through this activity, the team hopes to increase awareness among teachers and students about the importance of adopting healthy eating habits and being more selective in choosing foods and beverages consumed daily.

This initiative also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), by promoting health literacy and preventive education in schools.