Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
09:17
Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
Sugars consumption by 379 11-12-year-old English children in 1990 compared with results in 1980
A J Rugg-Gunn1, A J Adamson, D R Appleton
1Medical Faculty, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
Summary
Young adolescents
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Adolescent Health
- Dietary Intake Studies
Background:
- Dietary sugar intake is a significant public health concern, particularly among children and adolescents.
- Understanding trends in sugar consumption is crucial for developing effective public health interventions.
- Previous studies have indicated high sugar consumption in young populations, necessitating updated data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the total sugars, non-milk extrinsic sugars, and milk/intrinsic sugars consumption in young adolescents between 1980 and 1990.
- To identify the primary dietary sources contributing to non-milk extrinsic sugar intake in this age group.
- To assess whether sugar consumption levels align with current UK dietary recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A comparative dietary survey conducted in 1980 and 1990 involving young adolescents (mean age 11 years 6 months) from the same seven schools.
- Utilized two 3-day dietary diaries per child, with interviews conducted by a calibrated dietitian to ensure method comparability.
- Data collected from 405 children in 1980 and 379 children in 1990.
Main Results:
- Total sugars consumption remained stable (117 g/day in 1980 vs. 118 g/day in 1990).
- Consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars increased significantly (83 g/day in 1980 to 90 g/day in 1990).
- Confectionery (33%) and soft drinks (27%) were the main sources of non-milk extrinsic sugars, contributing 60% of this category and 46% of total sugars intake.
Conclusions:
- While total sugar intake was constant, the proportion from non-milk extrinsic sources rose in young adolescents between 1980 and 1990.
- Confectionery and soft drinks are major contributors to unhealthy sugar intake in this demographic.
- Observed sugar consumption levels significantly exceed UK dietary recommendations, highlighting a persistent public health challenge.
More Related Videos
08:52Psychophysical Tracking Method to Assess Taste Detection Thresholds in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: The Taste Detection Threshold (TDT) Test
Published on: April 21, 2021
07:33Sucrose Preference and Novelty-Induced Hypophagia Tests in Rats using an Automated Food Intake Monitoring System
Published on: May 8, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:10Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...
01:10Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
01:15Carbohydrates: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Carbohydrates are predominantly obtained from plant sources. With the exception of lactose found in milk and insignificant glycogen amounts in meat, most consumed carbohydrates have plant origins. Monosaccharides and disaccharides, or sugars, can be sourced from fruits, honey, milk, sugar cane, and sugar beets. Grains and vegetables are rich in the polysaccharide starch. Two types of polysaccharides provide fiber: cellulose, which is abundant in many vegetables, forms undigestible roughage or...
01:27Glucose Transporters
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...