Estimation and consumption pattern of free sugar intake in 3-year-old Irish preschool children

Abstract

Purposes Dietary free sugars (FS) are the most important risk factor for dental caries and can contribute to excess energy intake. Measuring FS intake is limited by food composition databases and appropriate dietary assessment methods. The aim of this analysis was to estimate total sugar (TS) and FS intakes for Irish pre-schoolers and examine the proportion of dietary TS and FS captured using a short food questionnaire (SFQ). Methods This is a secondary analysis of 3-year-old children from two national surveys; Growing Up in Ireland (GUI), N = 9793 of whom 49% were girls and the National Preschool Nutrition Survey (NPNS), N = 126 and 52% were girls. GUI used SFQs and NPNS used semi-weighed food diaries to collect dietary data from 3-year-old children. Dietary intake databases were linked using an established approach. Mean daily TS and FS intakes and frequency were calculated, and consumption patterns from foods and meals are presented. The proportion of foods that were covered or non-covered by the GUI SFQ was calculated by comparison with the NPNS food diary. Results 75% of 3 year-olds had FS intake greater than the maximum recommended by WHO guidelines for free sugar intake, while 4% met the lower threshold. The median frequency of TS and FS consumption was 5.0 (4.0-6.0) and 4.0 (3.0-5.0) times/day. Less than one-quarter of TS intake (g/day) was non-covered by the GUI SFQ while less than one-third of FS intake was non-covered. Conclusions A large majority of 3-year-old Irish children do not meet the WHO recommended guidelines for FS intake and almost none meet the desired conditional recommendation. SFQs only capture two-thirds of FS intake at this early age.

Dietary sugar intake among preschool-aged children: a cross-sectional study

“…14 This calculation has been used in other studies that investigated intake of free sugar among preschool-aged children. 17,18 These calculations were performed by 2 data analysts to assure data quality. The data analysts followed a standard operating procedure to complete the calculation and worked closely together to ensure data consistency.…”

“…There are limitations in the research literature, such as inconsistent definitions of free and added sugar 2 and limited food composition databases that calculate amounts of added and free sugar. 17 Intakes of total, free and added sugar were normalized to kcal per 1000 kcal/d for ease of comparison in the regression analysis.…”

Protocol for developing a dashboard for interactive cohort analysis of oral health-related data

“…Different surveys had different data designs, instruments, data structures and taxonomy. The key variables selected were chosen based on their known associations with oral health, cariogenic food and drink and weight status [13,[23][24][25][26]. These included: dental behaviour variables such as reported frequency of tooth brushing, dental attendance and reported history of fillings and extractions; dietary intake of food and drinks typically high in free sugars and BMI status [27].…”

Free sugar intake from snacks and beverages in Canadian preschool- and toddler-aged children: a cross-sectional study

“…According to the WHO, FS is defined as monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods and beverages by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates [1]. Studies investigating preschooland toddler-aged children have found that 70-96% of children exceed the WHO free sugar intake recommendation of < 5% TE [2][3][4][5][6], which is of concern because of short term consequences such as dental caries and since dietary habits formed in young children have been found to track into adulthood [1,7].…”