Abstract
Restricted sugar intake is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and may contribute to the prevention of diet-related diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate whether declared sugar restriction is reflected in actual sucrose intake and diet quality of young non-dieting women, with differentiation between the weekend and weekdays. A convenient sample of 192 non-dieting women aged 20–30 years old was recruited. The sample was divided into two groups based on each woman’s declaration: “restricting sugar” (RS, n = 76) and “not restricting sugar” (nRS, n = 116). Comparisons between groups were made separately for seven days of the week, five weekdays and two weekend days without and with an adjustment for 2000 kcal of energy. Relative differences (RD, in %) in mean diet nutritional values between groups were calculated, where RD (%) = (RS − nRS) × 100/nRS, and were verified with a two-tailed t-test. In the seven-day diet of the RS group, in comparison to the nRS group, a lower daily intake of sucrose (by 22%) and MUFA (by 8%) and a higher content of most nutrients (by 7–38%) was found. No significant differences were observed in energy intake between RS and nRS women over the course of seven days, including weekdays and the weekend. Daily intake for the weekend, in comparison to weekdays, in RC and nRC women was higher with respect to energy (by 530 and 512 kcal, i.e., 37% and 34%, respectively), sucrose (44% and 23%, respectively), and most nutrients (by 17–98% and 16–42%, respectively). However, after the adjustment for 2000 kcal of energy, the daily intake of most nutrients in the weekend was lower (by 6–30% and 3–27%, in RS and nRS groups, respectively), than during weekdays. The intention to restrict sucrose has improved diet quality by decreasing sucrose intake and increasing the content of most nutrients, but had no effect on energy intake throughout the week. The quality of the women’s diet during the weekend was compromised, regardless of restricting or not restricting sugar. Encouragement to restrict sugar intake throughout the week and control the food intake during the weekend may be an effective strategy for young women to maintain a healthy diet.
Highlights
Sugar consumption is increasing globally, including in Poland [1,2]
This indirect method of sugar intake assessment is based on the reported annual food availability for consumption and does not provide data regarding the actual intake in age- and sex-specific groups
This study aimed to investigate whether young, non-dieting women who declared restricting sugar intake had lower sucrose intake and a better quality diet than women who do not restrict sugar and whether this restriction is effective throughout the week
Summary
Sugar consumption is increasing globally, including in Poland [1,2]. Over the past decade, sugar intake in the Polish population increased by 10%, accounting for 42.3 kg per capita/per annum in 2016(approx. 115 g per person/day) [2]. 115 g per person/day) [2] This indirect method of sugar intake assessment is based on the reported annual food availability for consumption and does not provide data regarding the actual intake in age- and sex-specific groups. These rough estimates still suggest that sugar intake in Poland highly exceeds WHO’s recommended level of added sugar intake, which is less than 50 g. While consumers buy less table sugar, the consumption of sugar added as an ingredient to processed foods has been increasing [2] This worrying trend may indicate gaps in consumers’ nutritional knowledge or confusion around the actual content of sugar found in commonly consumed foods [4]
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