Ultra-processed food consumption drives excessive free sugar intake among all age groups in Australia

Author(s)

Machado, Priscila Pereira ^{[1, 2]} ; Steele, Euridice Martinez ^[2] ; da Costa Louzada, Maria Laura ^{[2, 3]} ; Levy, Renata Bertazzi ^{[2, 4]} ; Rangan, Anna ^[5] ; Woods, Julie ^[6] ; Gill, Timothy ^[7] ; Scrinis, Gyorgy ^[8] ; Monteiro, Carlos Augusto ^{[9, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Nutr Saude Publ, Fac Saude Publ, Av Dr Arnaldo 715, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Epidemiol Res Nutr & Hlth, Av Dr Arnaldo 715, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Polit Publ & Saude Colet, R Silva Jardim 136, BR-11015020 Santos - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Med Prevent, Av Dr Arnaldo 455, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sydney, Charles Perkins Ctr, Sch Life & Environm Sci, Camperdown, NSW 2050 - Australia

^[6] Deakin Univ, Sch Exercise & Nutr Sci, Inst Phys Act & Nutr, Geelong, Vic 3220 - Australia

^[7] Univ Sydney, Charles Perkins Ctr, Boden Inst Obes Nutr Exercise & Eating Disorders, Camperdown, NSW 2050 - Australia

^[8] Univ Melbourne, Sch Agr & Food, Melbourne, Vic 3010 - Australia

^[9] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Dept Nutr, Av Dr Arnaldo 715, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION; v. 59, n. 6 NOV 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Objective To analyze the contribution of ultra-processed foods to the intake of free sugars among different age groups in Australia. Methods Dietary intakes of 12,153 participants from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (2011-12) aged 2+ years were evaluated. Food items collected through two 24-h recalls were classified according to the NOVA system. The contribution of each NOVA food group and their subgroups to total energy intake was determined by age group. Mean free sugar content in diet fractions made up exclusively of ultra-processed foods, or of processed foods, or of a combination of un/minimally processed foods and culinary ingredients (which includes table sugar and honey) were compared. Across quintiles of the energy contribution of ultra-processed foods, differences in the intake of free sugars, as well as in the prevalence of excessive free sugar intake (>= 10% of total energy) were examined. Results Ultra-processed foods had the highest energy contribution among children, adolescents and adults in Australia, with older children and adolescents the highest consumers (53.1% and 54.3% of total energy, respectively). The diet fraction restricted to ultra-processed items contained significantly more free sugars than the two other diet fractions. Among all age groups, a positive and statistically significant linear association was found between quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption and both the average intake of free sugars and the prevalence of excessive free sugar intake. Conclusion Ultra-processed food consumption drives excessive free sugar intake among all age groups in Australia. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/13168-5 - Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile and obesity in seven countries. An Australian population study
• Grantee: Priscila Pereira Machado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/14900-9 - Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile diet and obesity in seven countries
• Grantee: Carlos Augusto Monteiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants