Tommy Hon Ting Wong1, Angelique Mok2, Rabia Ahmad2, Anna Rangan2, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie3,4. 1. School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. 2. School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 3. School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. jimmyl@hku.hk. 4. School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. jimmyl@hku.hk.
Abstract
PURPOSES: This cross-sectional analysis aimed to investigate the association between free sugar intake and micronutrient intake in Australian children and adolescents and to assess the effectiveness of the cut-off of < 10% energy intake from free sugar (%EFS) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). METHODS: Dietary data of children and adolescents from the Australian Health Survey 2011-12 were analyzed (n = 1466). Free sugar intake was estimated using a published methodology with modification to suit the definition of free sugar. Six cut-offs for %EFS were created in 5% increments. Participants' mean intakes of 18 micronutrients, as well as their intakes of core (healthy) and discretionary (unhealthy) foods, at different cut-offs were compared using ANCOVA, with age, sex, and socioeconomic status measures as covariates. The odds ratios of not meeting the nutrient reference values (NRVs) for Australia and New Zealand of each micronutrient were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Micronutrient intake decreased with increasing %EFS and the peak intakes of most micronutrients appeared between 0-15%EFS. The absolute intakes of most micronutrients were not significantly different between participants who consumed < 10%EFS and ≥ 10%EFS. Those with > 20%EFS were less likely to meet the NRVs of more than half of the micronutrients. Additionally, as %EFS increased, intakes of core food groups decreased, while intakes of discretionary food groups increased. CONCLUSIONS: The dilution effect in micronutrient intake with increasing free sugar intake was evident in Australian children and adolescents. However, meeting the WHO cut-off was associated with limited improvement in micronutrient adequacy.
PURPOSES: This cross-sectional analysis aimed to investigate the association between free sugar intake and micronutrient intake in Australian children and adolescents and to assess the effectiveness of the cut-off of < 10% energy intake from free sugar (%EFS) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). METHODS: Dietary data of children and adolescents from the Australian Health Survey 2011-12 were analyzed (n = 1466). Free sugar intake was estimated using a published methodology with modification to suit the definition of free sugar. Six cut-offs for %EFS were created in 5% increments. Participants' mean intakes of 18 micronutrients, as well as their intakes of core (healthy) and discretionary (unhealthy) foods, at different cut-offs were compared using ANCOVA, with age, sex, and socioeconomic status measures as covariates. The odds ratios of not meeting the nutrient reference values (NRVs) for Australia and New Zealand of each micronutrient were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Micronutrient intake decreased with increasing %EFS and the peak intakes of most micronutrients appeared between 0-15%EFS. The absolute intakes of most micronutrients were not significantly different between participants who consumed < 10%EFS and ≥ 10%EFS. Those with > 20%EFS were less likely to meet the NRVs of more than half of the micronutrients. Additionally, as %EFS increased, intakes of core food groups decreased, while intakes of discretionary food groups increased. CONCLUSIONS: The dilution effect in micronutrient intake with increasing free sugar intake was evident in Australian children and adolescents. However, meeting the WHO cut-off was associated with limited improvement in micronutrient adequacy.
Authors: Sidse Marie Sidenius Bestle; Bodil Just Christensen; Ellen Trolle; Anja Pia Biltoft-Jensen; Jeppe Matthiessen; Sarah Jegsmark Gibbons; Bjarne Kjær Ersbøll; Anne Dahl Lassen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-21 Impact factor: 3.390