Trends in dietary intake of sugars of 10-year-old children from 1973 to 1988: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Trends in dietary intakes of total sugar of 10-year-old children were exami ned from 1973 to 1988 across six cross-sectional surveys. For whites only, a significant positive trend was shown in intakes of total sugar. A signifi cant positive trend was observed in intakes of fructose with a negative tre nd in sucrose intakes. The total grams of fruits/fruit juices consumed sign ificantly increased (p<0.05), reflecting an increase in the percent contrib ution to sucrose intake. The grams of desserts ard candy consumed significa ntly decreased (p<0.05), reflecting a decrease in percent contribution to s ucrose and fructose intakes. Total grams of milk consumed significantly dec reased (p<0.001), with changes shown in the percent contribution to sucrose (decreasing) and to fructose (increasing) intakes. Negative correlations w ere shown between intakes of total sugar, sucrose and fructose with intakes of protein, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, niacin, iron and vitamin E, a nd positive correlations for majority of the vitamins and minerals. Negativ e correlations were observed between intakes of sucrose and intakes of vita mins D and B-12 riboflavin, potassium, and magnesium. Before any guidelines are established for total sugar intakes, careful consideration of the type of sugar consumed, along with changes in the sugar composition of the food supply, is warranted. (C) 1999 Eisevier Science inc.