Abstract
A high intake of free sugars (FS) is assumed to be associated with overweight and obesity as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an intake of FS of less than 10% of daily total energy intake (TEI). The purpose of this study was to update the FS intake data for the French population, including children and adolescents as well as adults, based on the 2019 French Food Behavior and Consumption survey (CCAF). FS intakes were assessed at 67 g/day (15.3% of TEI) in children and adolescents as well as 57 g/day (10.5% of TEI) in adults. The main FS contributors were cakes/pastries, sugary drinks and fruit juices in children as well as sugary products, cakes/pastries and fruit juices in adults. The contribution of FS intakes to TEI fell with age, from 15.6% of TEI in 3–6 years children to around 8–9% for adults older than 50 years. On average, children were above the WHO recommendation of FS intake, but adults were close to or even below the threshold of 10% TEI. These observations are of great importance to prospective public health activities focusing on changes in FS intakes.
Highlights
High intakes of dietary sugars and/or sugary drinks have been assumed to be associated with a higher risk of dental caries [1], overweight [2,3] and chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases [4,5]
It has to be mentioned that the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) can promote weight gain in children and adults [3], an effect that is mediated by the less pronounced effect of satiety of SSBs, which can result in increased total energy intake and a resulting promotion of body weight gain [8]
In 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) restated the limit of free sugars (FS) intake at 10% of total energy intake (TEI) and proposed a further reduction to less than 5% of TEI, as a “conditional” recommendation based on a low level of evidence on the risks of dental caries [11]
Summary
High intakes of dietary sugars and/or sugary drinks have been assumed to be associated with a higher risk of dental caries [1], overweight [2,3] and chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases [4,5]. It has to be mentioned that the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) can promote weight gain in children and adults [3], an effect that is mediated by the less pronounced effect of satiety of SSBs (compared to solid foods that contain the same amount of calories), which can result in increased total energy intake and a resulting promotion of body weight gain [8]. The limit was set at 10% of total energy intake (TEI) to prevent dental caries as well as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases This 10% limit of TEI was clarified in 2002 with a definition of “free sugars” as sugars “added to foods and drinks by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices” [10]. In 2015, WHO restated the limit of FS intake at 10% of TEI and proposed a further reduction to less than 5% of TEI, as a “conditional” recommendation based on a low level of evidence on the risks of dental caries [11]
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