The Australian paradox: a substantial decline in sugars intake over the same timeframe that overweight and obesity have increased.

Alan W Barclay,Jennie Brand-Miller

doi:10.3390/nu3040491

Abstract

Ecological research from the USA has demonstrated a positive relationship between sugars consumption and prevalence of obesity; however, the relationship in other nations is not well described. The aim of this study was to analyze the trends in obesity and sugar consumption in Australia over the past 30 years and to compare and contrast obesity trends and sugar consumption patterns in Australia with the UK and USA. Data on consumption of sugar in Australia, the UK and USA were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization for the years 1980-2003. The prevalence of obesity has increased 3 fold in Australians since 1980. In Australia, the UK and USA, per capita consumption of refined sucrose decreased by 23%, 10% and 20% respectively from 1980 to 2003. When all sources of nutritive sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrups, were considered, per capita consumption decreased in Australia (−16%) and the UK (−5%), but increased in the USA (+23%). In Australia, there was a reduction in sales of nutritively sweetened beverages by 64 million liters from 2002 to 2006 and a reduction in percentage of children consuming sugar-sweetened beverages between 1995 and 2007. The findings confirm an “Australian Paradox”-a substantial decline in refined sugars intake over the same timeframe that obesity has increased. The implication is that efforts to reduce sugar intake may reduce consumption but may not reduce the prevalence of obesity.

Highlights

The prevalence of overweight/obesity continues to rise around the globe, in both developed and developing nations
Obesity rates increased in Australia [18], the United Kingdom (UK) [23] and the United States of America (USA) [24], for adults, adolescents and children (Figure 1)
Over the period 1980–2003 in Australia, consumption of total nutritive sweeteners fell 16% (9 kg, or 25 g per day), refined sucrose consumption dropped 23%

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of overweight/obesity continues to rise around the globe, in both developed and developing nations. The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently more than 700 million overweight adults, and at least 300 million obese adults [1]. The health consequences of overweight/obesity are well documented, and include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer (endometrial, breast, and colon), type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems and osteoarthritis [2]. The economic costs of overweight/obesity are as grave as the health consequences, but not as well described. In several developed countries, obesity has been estimated to account for 2–7% of the total health care costs [3]. The most recent population health surveys in Australia determined that in 2007–2008, 62% of Australia’s 15 million adults [4] and 23% of Australia’s 5 million children [5] were either overweight or obese. The direct financial cost of obesity was estimated to be AUD$8.283 billion in Australia in

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