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Free and Added Sugar Consumption and Adherence to Guidelines: The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2014/15–2015/16)

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Amoutzopoulos, Birdem  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8571-9561
Steer, Toni 
Roberts, Caireen 
Collins, David 
Page, Polly 

Abstract

Monitoring dietary intake of sugars in the population’s diet has great importance in evaluating the efficiency of national sugar reduction programmes. The study objective was to provide a comprehensive assessment of dietary sources of added and free sugars to assess adherence to public health recommendations in the UK population and to consider the impact of different sugar definitions on monitoring. The terms “added sugar” and “free sugar” are different sugar definitions which include different sugar components and may result in different sugar intakes depending on the definition. Dietary intake of added sugars, free sugars and seven individual sugar components (sugar from table sugar; other sugars; honey; fruit juice; fruit puree; dried fruit; and stewed fruit) of 2138 males and females (1.5−64 years) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2014−2016, collected using a 4 day estimated food diary, were studied. Added and free sugar intake accounted for 7% to 13% of total energy intake respectively. Major sources of free sugar intake were “cereals and cereal products”, “non-alcoholic beverages”, and “sugars, preserves, confectionery”. Differences between added and free sugar intake were significantly large, and thus use of free sugar versus added sugar definitions need careful consideration for standardised monitoring of sugar intake in relation to public health.

Description

Keywords

sugars, added sugars, free sugars, nutrition survey, UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, dietary recommendations, public health, children, teenagers, adults

Journal Title

Nutrients, volume 12, issue 2

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2072-6643

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (U105960384)