Sugars consumption by 379 11-12-year-old English children in 1990 compared with results in 1980

The amount of sugars consumed by young adolescents was assessed in 1990 using the same methods as those employed in a similar survey in 1980. The children were the same age (mean 11 years 6 months) and from the same seven schools in both survey. In 1980, 405 children completed the study and 379 in 1990. Information was collected using two 3-day dietary diaries, each child being interviewed by a dietitian upon completion of a diary. The dietitian in this study was calibrated closely with the dietitian who undertook the 1980 study so as to ensure comparable diet evaluation methods. Total sugars consumption was unchanged (117 g/day in 1980, 118 g/day in 1990) but consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars increased (83 g/day in 1980, 90 g/day in 1990) and milk and intrinsic sugars decreased (34 g/day in 1980, 28 g/day in 1990) between the two surveys. In 1990, non-milk extrinsic sugars contributed 17% to total dietary energy intake, while milk and intrinsic sugars contributed 5%. There was little difference in percent contributions between the sexes, but some social-class trends were apparent. Confectionery provided 33% and soft drinks provided 27% of non-milk extrinsic sugars, these two dietary sources providing 60% of non-milk extrinsic or 46% of total sugars intake. These levels of consumption are considerably higher than those currently recommended in the UK.