The Role of Added Sugars in the Diet Quality of Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The associations between added sugars intake and consumption of vitamins, minerals and servings of foods in the USDA Food Guide Pyramid were examined.

Methods: Data from the USDA 1994–96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals were used in multivariate regression analyses to assess the statistical and practical significance of added sugars intake for diet and nutrient adequacy.

Results: The association of added sugars with consumption of vitamins, minerals and servings of foods in the USDA Food Guide Pyramid was usually statistically significant. For the model of all individuals over two years of age, individuals who consume more added sugars are predicted to consume more grains, lean meat and iron and to consume fewer vegetables and fruits and less dairy, vitamin A, calcium and folates. Children who consume more added sugars are predicted to consume more grains, vitamin C, iron and folates and to consume less dairy. Adolescents who consume more added sugars are predicted to consume more grains, vitamin C and iron and less fruit.

Conclusion: The associations, whether positive or negative, however, were always small from either a practical perspective or in comparison to the associations of other sources of energy.

• nutrient displacement
• sugars
• dietary guidelines
• food guide pyramid

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by Dr. William Sansalone, Senior Fellow of the Georgetown Center for Food and Nutrition Policy, and Ms. Gayle Hein for their assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

Notes

This research was supported by a grant from The Sugar Association, Inc.

This manuscript was presented in part at the North American Association for Study of Obesity meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, on November 11, 1999.