scholarly journals Current perspectives on global sugars consumption: definitions, recommendations, population intakes, challenges and future direction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-62
Author(s):  
Janette Walton ◽  
Haley Bell ◽  
Roberta Re ◽  
Anne P Nugent
Keyword(s):  
Food Composition ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Food Composition Data ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Health Objectives ◽  
Dietary Sugars ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Collaborative Efforts

Abstract Currently there is considerable emphasis on the relationship between dietary sugars consumption and various health outcomes, with some countries and regions implementing national sugar reduction campaigns. This has resulted in significant efforts to quantify dietary sugars intakes, to agree on terms to describe dietary sugars and to establish associated recommendations. However, this information is infrequently collated on a global basis and in a regularised manner. The present review provides context regarding sugars definitions and recommendations. It provides a global review of the available data regarding dietary sugars intake, considering forms such as total, free and added sugars. A comprehensive breakdown of intakes is provided by age-group, country and sugars form. This analysis shows that free sugars intakes as a percentage of total energy (%E) are the highest for children and adolescents (13-14%E) and the lowest for older adults (8%E). This trend across lifecycle stages has also been observed for added sugars. The available data also suggest that while some reductions in sugars intake are observed in a few individual studies, overall intakes of free/added sugars remain above recommendations. However, any wider conclusions are hampered by a lack of detailed high quality data on sugars intake, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, there is a need for harmonisation of terms describing sugars (ideally driven by public health objectives) and for collaborative efforts to ensure that the most up-to-date food composition data are used to underpin recommendations and any estimates of intake or modelling scenarios.

scholarly journals Dietary sugars intake and micronutrient adequacy: a systematic review of the evidence

2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid A. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Significance ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Total Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Hand Search ◽  
Dietary Sugars ◽  
The Relationship

Guidelines for sugars intake range from a population mean of less than 10 % energy from free sugars, to a maximum for individuals of 25 % energy from added sugars. The aim of the present review was to examine the evidence for micronutrient dilution by sugars and evaluate its nutritional significance. From a web-based search of MEDLINE and hand search of linked papers, forty-eight relevant publications were identified on sugars (total sugars, non-milk extrinsic sugars, or added sugars) or sugar-containing drinks. These included five reports from expert committees, six reviews, thirty-three observational studies and four small-scale interventions. There was inconsistency between studies as to the relationship between sugars intake (however expressed) and micronutrients. The statistical patterns varied between nutrients and population groups. Curvilinear associations were found in some analyses, with lower nutrient intakes at both extremes of sugar intake; however, factors such as dieting and under-reporting may confound the associations observed. Some studies found statistically significant inverse associations but these were weak, with sugars explaining less than 5 % of the variance. Mean intakes of most micronutrients were above the RDA or reference nutrient intake except among very high consumers of sugars. The available evidence does not allow for firm conclusions on an optimal level of added sugars intake for micronutrient adequacy and the trends that exist may have little biological significance except for a few nutrients (for example, Fe). It is established that energy intake is the prime predictor of micronutrient adequacy. A better understanding of valid approaches to energy adjustment, misreporting and the assessment of micronutrient adequacy is crucial to further progress in this area.

scholarly journals Procedure to Estimate Added and Free Sugars in Food Items from the Swedish Food Composition Database Used in the National Dietary Survey Riksmaten Adolescents 2016–17

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Wanselius ◽  
Cecilia Axelsson ◽  
Lotta Moraeus ◽  
Christina Berg ◽  
Irene Mattisson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Sample ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Dietary Survey ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Food Items ◽  
School Year ◽  
Specific Food

A high intake of added and free sugars is associated with poor diet quality, caries, and potentially has a role in non-communicable diseases. As a result, dietary guidelines advice limitation. However, there is no standardized method for estimation of added and free sugars in food items and consequently intake is difficult to measure. This study aimed to refine a procedure for sugars estimation and apply it to a Swedish dietary survey on adolescents (Riksmaten Adolescents 2016–17). A national sample of 3099 adolescents in school year 5, 8 and 11 participated (55% girls). Individual dietary intake data from two non-consecutive days was collected retrospectively and used for analysis. A ten-step systematic procedure for estimation of sugars in a Swedish context has been developed by combining two earlier methods, one for estimation of added sugars and one for free sugars. Sugars estimates were made for all food items comprising the survey database. Mainly objective decisions were necessary to make the estimates (92% and 93% for the sugars respectively); meaning that the procedure was largely transparent. In relation to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, 45% of the participants had an intake that adhered to the guidelines. However, the majority of intakes was close to the recommendation. Further research on how specific food sources contribute to added and free sugars is necessary to facilitate further guidance on sugars and how to reach recommended target levels in Sweden.

scholarly journals Free sugars

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian A. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Fruit Juices ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
The Past ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Dietary Sugars ◽  
Public Health Initiatives

It is clear that the sugars component of the diet has potentially deleterious effects on health. In the past, the dietary sugars were collectively referred to as non-milk extrinsic sugars (UK) or added sugars. The WHO first proposed a new term, free sugars, which is rather broader than added sugars, and also includes the sugars in fruit juices and purees, as well as honey and syrups. This review considers the potential problems that free sugars represent in relation to health risks, and the recent proposals that free sugars are a more appropriate focus than added or total as far as public health initiatives are concerned. This will require major activities in relation to measurement, labelling and communication to the consumer if attempts to reduce dietary free sugars content are to be successful.

scholarly journals Estimating free and added sugar intakes in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kibblewhite ◽  
A Nettleton ◽  
R McLean ◽  
J Haszard ◽  
E Fleming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
World Health ◽  
Free Sugar ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Sugar Intake

© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The reduction of free or added sugar intake (sugars added to food and drinks as a sweetener) is almost universally recommended to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases and dental caries. The World Health Organisation recommends intakes of free sugars of less than 10% of energy intake. However, estimating and monitoring intakes at the population level is challenging because free sugars cannot be analytically distinguished from naturally occurring sugars and most national food composition databases do not include data on free or added sugars. We developed free and added sugar estimates for the New Zealand (NZ) food composition database (FOODfiles 2010) by adapting a method developed for Australia. We reanalyzed the 24 h recall dietary data collected for 4721 adults aged 15 years and over participating in the nationally representative 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey to estimate free and added sugar intakes. The median estimated intake of free and added sugars was 57 and 49 g/day respectively and 42% of adults consumed less than 10% of their energy intake from free sugars. This approach provides more direct estimates of the free and added sugar contents of New Zealand foods than previously available and will enable monitoring of adherence to free sugar intake guidelines in future.

scholarly journals Estimating free and added sugar intakes in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kibblewhite ◽  
A Nettleton ◽  
R McLean ◽  
J Haszard ◽  
E Fleming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
World Health ◽  
Free Sugar ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Sugar Intake

© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The reduction of free or added sugar intake (sugars added to food and drinks as a sweetener) is almost universally recommended to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases and dental caries. The World Health Organisation recommends intakes of free sugars of less than 10% of energy intake. However, estimating and monitoring intakes at the population level is challenging because free sugars cannot be analytically distinguished from naturally occurring sugars and most national food composition databases do not include data on free or added sugars. We developed free and added sugar estimates for the New Zealand (NZ) food composition database (FOODfiles 2010) by adapting a method developed for Australia. We reanalyzed the 24 h recall dietary data collected for 4721 adults aged 15 years and over participating in the nationally representative 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey to estimate free and added sugar intakes. The median estimated intake of free and added sugars was 57 and 49 g/day respectively and 42% of adults consumed less than 10% of their energy intake from free sugars. This approach provides more direct estimates of the free and added sugar contents of New Zealand foods than previously available and will enable monitoring of adherence to free sugar intake guidelines in future.

scholarly journals Food Composition at Present: New Challenges

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Kapsokefalou ◽  
Mark Roe ◽  
Aida Turrini ◽  
Helena S. Costa ◽  
Emilio Martinez-Victoria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Composition ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Composition Data ◽  
Research Infrastructures ◽  
Food Composition Data ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Food Nutrition ◽  
The Mediterranean

Food composition data is important for stakeholders and users active in the areas of food, nutrition and health. New challenges related to the quality of food composition data reflect the dynamic changes in these areas while the emerging technologies create new opportunities. These challenges and the impact on food composition data for the Mediterranean region were reviewed during the NUTRIMAD 2018 congress of the Spanish Society for Community Nutrition. Data harmonization and standardization, data compilation and use, thesauri, food classification and description, and data exchange are some of the areas that require new approaches. Consistency in documentation, linking of information between datasets, food matching and capturing portion size information suggest the need for new automated tools. Research Infrastructures bring together key data and services. The delivery of sustainable networks and Research Infrastructures in food, nutrition and health will help to increase access to and effective use of food composition data. EuroFIR AISBL coordinates experts and national compilers and contributes to worldwide efforts aiming to produce and maintain high quality data and tools. A Mediterranean Network that shares high quality food composition data is vital for the development of ambitious common research and policy initiatives in support of the Mediterranean Diet.

Towards a European Food Composition Data Interchange Platform

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Bell ◽  
Heikki Pakkala ◽  
Michael P. Finglas
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Composition Data ◽  
European Committee ◽  
Food Properties ◽  
Data Interchange ◽  
Food Composition Data ◽  
Definition Of

Food composition data (FCD) comprises the description and identification of foods, as well as their nutrient content, other constituents, and food properties. FCD are required for a range of purposes including food labeling, supporting health claims, nutritional and clinical management, consumer information, and research. There have been differences within and beyond Europe in the way FCD are expressed with respect to food description, definition of nutrients and other food properties, and the methods used to generate data. One of the major goals of the EuroFIR NoE project (2005 - 10) was to provide tools to overcome existing differences among member states and parties with respect to documentation and interchange of FCD. The establishment of the CEN’s (European Committee for Standardisation) TC 387 project committee on Food Composition Data, led by the Swedish Standards Institute, and the preparation of the draft Food Data Standard, has addressed these deficiencies by enabling unambiguous identification and description of FCD and their quality, for dissemination and data interchange. Another major achievement of the EuroFIR NoE project was the development and dissemination of a single, authoritative source of FCD in Europe enabling the interchange and update of data between countries, and also giving access to users of FCD.

Hearing Vocation Differently

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Affective Learning ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Deep Roots ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Multiple Voices ◽  
Faith Traditions ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
The Relationship

Colleges and universities have begun using the language of vocation and calling to help undergraduates think about the future direction of their lives. This language has been employed in both secular and religious contexts, but it has deep roots in a specific theological tradition. Given the increasingly multi-faith context of undergraduate life, many have asked whether this originally Christian terminology can truly become a new vocabulary for higher education. This volume’s 13 contributing scholars identify with a wide variety of faith traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. Some claim more than one tradition; others would claim none. Rather than seeking to “translate” Christian language into other perspectives, they reflect on various facets of vocation from the standpoint of their own traditions. Both individually and collectively, they seek to expand the range of vocational reflection and discernment well beyond its traditional Christian origins, addressing themes such as religious pluralism and difference, the importance of multiple voices, the role of affective learning, the relationship between process and result, and the development of an integrated life. The authors recognize that all undergraduate students—regardless of their academic field, religious background, or demographic identity—need to make space for reflection, to overcome obstacles to vocational discernment, and to consider the significance of their own narratives, beliefs, and practices. Accomplishing these goals will require college campuses to reimagine their curricular and co-curricular programming in order to support their students’ interfaith reflections on issues of meaning and purpose, as well as personal identity.

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