Positive Health Online

Abstract

ROSINGER and COLLEAGUES, Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background

Approximately one-half of U.S. adults consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage on a given day.

Methodology

Men consumed an average 179 kilocalories (kcal) from sugar-sweetened beverages, which contributed 6.9% of total daily caloric intake. Women consumed an average 113 kcal from sugar-sweetened beverages, which contributed 6.1% of total caloric intake. Young adults had the highest mean intake and percentage of daily calories from sugar-sweetened beverages relative to older adults. Non-Hispanic Asian men and women consumed the least calories and the lowest percentage of total calories from sugar-sweetened beverages compared with non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic men and women.

Results

Sugar-sweetened beverages are a major contributor of calories and added sugars to diets of US adults (1). Studies have found that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has been linked to weight gain, metabolic syndrome, dental caries, and type 2 diabetes in adults (2-4). The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend reducing added sugars consumption to less than 10% of total calories per day and, specifically, to choose beverages with no added sugars (1).

Conclusion

This report presents results for consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among US adults aged 20 and over for 2011-2014 by sex, age, and race and Hispanic origin.

References

Rosinger A, Herrick K, Gahche J, Park S. Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption Among US Adults, 2011-2014. NCHS Data Brief. (270):1-8. Jan 2017.