Ultra-processed foods and excessive free sugar intake in the UK: a nationally representative cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe dietary sources of free sugars in different age groups of the UK population considering food groups classified according to the NOVA system and to estimate the proportion of excessive free sugars that could potentially be avoided by reducing consumption of their main sources.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2014) were analysed. Food items collected using a 4-day food diary were classified according to the NOVA system.

Participants

9364 individuals aged 1.5 years and above.

Main outcome measures

Average dietary content of free sugars and proportion of individuals consuming more than 10% of total energy from free sugars.

Data analysis

Poisson regression was used to estimate

SUBMITTER: Rauber F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6830631 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature