Parallel to the increase of dietary energy intake in children 2-5 over the past decade, childhood obesity has increased as well. Absolute fat intake has remained fairly stable, indicating that the causes for the upward trend in body weight are lack of exercise and calories originating from nutrients other than fat. Added sugar, sugars added when processing foods or in candies, has been identified as a large contributor of energy in children. This study investigated socio-demographic predictors of added sugar consumption in teaspoons/day and tsp/100kcal/day in preschoolers using the 1994-1996 USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (n=2,177). Descriptive statistics were used to determine intake by selected variables. Overall average consumption was 15 tsp per day with 12, 15, 16, and 18 tsp per day for 2,3,4, and 5 year olds, respectively. Differences in average sugar consumption occurred by ethnicity, income level, WIC participation, female head of household employment or level of education, attending childcare, and time spent watching TV/video. Multivariate linear regression showed that most crude associations remained significant. For example, participation in WIC or being in the highest income group compared to middle income were associated with a 2-3 tsp decrease in sugar intake, whereas living in the midwest compared to the northeast or being of non-Hispanic black or white ethnicity was associated with a 2-3 tsp increase. In conclusion, these data indicate that cultural habits and nutrition education programs, such as that provided by the Federal nutrition program, are important determinants of preschooler's added sugar intake.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will have gained understanding of the importance of added sugar intake in 2-5 year olds. At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to name three socio-demographic characteristics that predict high added sugar intake of 2-5 year olds.
Keywords: Child Health, Child Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.