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Sucrose in the diet of 3-year-old Finnish children: sources, determinants and impact on food and nutrient intake

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2008

Maijaliisa Erkkola*
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland Division of Nutrition, Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, PO Box 66, FIN-00014University of Helsinki, Finland
Carina Kronberg-Kippilä
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland
Pipsa Kyttälä
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland Tampere School of Public Health, FIN-33014University of Tampere, Finland
Jenni Lehtisalo
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland Division of Nutrition, Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, PO Box 66, FIN-00014University of Helsinki, Finland
Heli Reinivuo
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland
Heli Tapanainen
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland
Riitta Veijola
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Box 5000, FIN-90014University of Oulu, Finland
Mikael Knip
Affiliation:
Hospital for Children and Adolescents, PB 281, FIN-00029HUS, Finland Department of Paediatrics and Research Unit, Tampere University Hospital, FIN-33014University of Tampere, Finland
Marja-Leena Ovaskainen
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland
Suvi M. Virtanen
Affiliation:
Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300Helsinki, Finland Tampere School of Public Health, FIN-33014University of Tampere, Finland Department of Paediatrics and Research Unit, Tampere University Hospital, FIN-33014University of Tampere, Finland
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Maijaliisa Erkkola, fax +358 9 191 58269, email maijaliisa.erkkola@helsinki.fi
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Abstract

The aim was to identify the important sources of added sucrose and determinants of high intake, and to evaluate what impact a high proportion of energy from added sucrose has on the intake of foods and nutrients. The subjects consisted of children invited to the nutrition study within the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention birth cohort and born in 2001 (n 846). Of these, 471 returned 3 d food records at 3 years of age. The average daily intake of added sucrose was 35 (sd 17) g (11·3 % of energy intake) and that of total sucrose was 41 (sd 18) g (13·3 % of energy intake). Sucrose added by manufacturers accounted for 82 %, naturally occurring sucrose for 15 % and sucrose added by consumers for 3 % of the total sucrose. Juice drinks, yoghurt/cultured milks, and chocolate and confectionery were the main contributors to added sucrose intake. Consumption of rye bread, porridge, fresh vegetables, cooked potatoes, skimmed milk, hard cheeses, margarine and fat spread as well as intake of most nutrients decreased across the quartiles of added sucrose (P < 0·05). Being cared for at home, having a father with a vocational school degree, having at least two siblings and a milk-restricted diet increased the risk for a high-sucrose diet. The study implied that a high proportion of added sucrose in the diet had mainly an unfavourable impact on the intake of recommended foods and key nutrients in Finnish children. The rationale for the recommendation to reduce the intake of refined sugars to ensure adequate intakes of nutrients seems reasonable.

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Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2008
Figure 0

Table 1 The average contribution of food groups to the intake of different sucrose classes among the children (n 471)

Figure 1

Table 2 Proportion of energy from naturally occurring and added sucrose by sociodemographic variables*(Mean values and standard deviations)

Figure 2

Table 3 Intake of energy-yielding nutrients by quartiles of energy from added sucrose*(Mean values and standard deviations)

Figure 3

Table 4 Total daily food intake by quartiles of energy from added sucrose*(Mean values and standard deviations)

Figure 4

Table 5 Intake of selected vitamins and minerals by quartiles of energy from added sucrose*(Mean values and standard deviations)

Figure 5

Table 6 Family characteristics associated with energy intake from added sucrose in linear regression models in 3-year-old children(β Coefficients and 95 % confidence intervals)