Louie, Jimmy Chun Yu & Tapsell, Linda C (2015) British Journal of Nutrition. Vol 114:11, pp 1875 – 1886.
OBJECTIVE: To test whether a higher total or added sugar intake is associated with nutrient dilution. The authors hypothesise that higher added sugar intake but not total sugar is associated with dietary nutrient dilution in Australian adolescents and children.
DESIGN: Analysis of Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2007 data. Collection through two 24-hour recalls collected 7-21 days apart, using a multiple-pass method which involves multiple passes through the daily intake with cues where appropriate. Recalls were completed by the primary caregiver in children aged 2-8 years and self-reported in participants aged 9 years and over. Supplement intake was excluded in the analysis.
SETTING: Australia
PARTICIPANTS: Children and adolescents, aged 2-16 years.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Added and total sugars intakes; energy, macro- and micronutrient intakes.
RESULTS: Values for usual intake of added sugars as % energy from added sugars (%EAS) were negatively associated with all nutrient intakes (P <0.001), apart from carbohydrates and sugar intake which were positively associated (P <0.001). Higher %EAS was consistently associated with lower micronutrient intake (P <0.001) except in vitamin C (P <0.103) and Na (P <0.082), when the authors examined associations between intakes of total and added sugars and likelihood of meeting the Australian and New Zealand NRVs.
CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of added sugars but not total sugars is associated with nutrient dilution in the diets of Australian children and adolescents.
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