HIGH SUGAR INTAKE IN A GROUP OF WOMEN ON METHADONE-MAINTENANCE IN SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Nutritional assessment comprising dietary and anthropometric measureme nts was conducted in a group of 86 women attending a methadone mainten ance clinic in South Western Sydney, Australia. Dietary data were obta ined by two 24-hour recall interviews using a standardized interview f ormat Nutrient intake was analysed using the NUTTAB data base of Austr alian foods (1992). Mean age of the sample was 29.8 (range 18-46) year s and mean body mass index was 22.7 (range 16.2-43.4) kg/m(2). The die t of the study group was characterized by a low energy intake of 6.48 MJ (95% CI 6.02-6.94), a high sugars intake of 122 g (95% CI 112-132), a high percentage of total energy (31%, 95% CI 29-32) derived from su gars, and a low dietary fibre intake of 10.7 g (95% CI 9.7-12.3). This eating pattern may contribute to the high prevalence of dental caries and chronic constipation observed in the group. The results also supp ort anecdotal evidence of a craving for sweetness described by addicts . Despite the low energy intake, body mass indices of the group were n o different from the normal population. It is possible that 2 days' in take was insufficient to accurately measure accustomed diet in this gr oup of women. Alternatively, the low intake may be a consequence of th eir largely sedentary life-styles.