CONSUMPTION OF SUGARS

The mean percent of energy from total sugars minus lactose is 18% in t he United States, according to data from the 1987-1988 US Department o f Agriculture Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. When sugars intake i s distributed among food pyramid groupings, the primary contributor is the ''others'' group (39%). The relationship between sugars intakes a nd micronutrients was age and sex dependent. Consumers of high amounts of sugars do not necessarily have poorer quality diets. In the Europe an Union, the mean percent energy from all sugars is 15.2%. The top fi ve sources of sugar contributed 68% of sugar intake but only 11% of fa t intake (UK data). Although sugars intake varies among these major de veloped regions, the consistent inverse relation between fat and sugar s intake and the scarcity of individuals achieving dietary guidelines raises serious questions regarding current dietary recommendations.