Consumption patterns of some sugar-containing foods among Finnish adolescents in 1981–1985

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the consumption of foods known as indicators of the total sucrose intake, and the distribution of the use of these foods. Three samples (N=4140, 3734 and 3354) of Finnish 12 to 18-year-old boys and girls participated in a mailed survey in 1981, 1983 and 1985. The proportions of frequent users of sweet pastries and sugared coffee decreased clearly during the follow-up time, but socio-economic and regional differences in consumption patterns remained unchanged. Throughout the period of study adolescents from farm families used sweet pastries and sugared coffee significantly more often than did urban adolescents from white-collar families. Consumption of sweetened yogurt increased and was higher in urban areas than in farm families. For sweets, soft drinks and sugared tea, no changes occurred, and father's occupation or educational level were not significant determinants of consumption. The Finnish adolescents are replacing the traditional sugar sources by new ones and changes in the consumption of sugar-containing foods follow the same logic as described in cultural and historical studies.