Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Wang, Flora
• DiAngelo, Chiara L.
• Pasut, Laura
• Marsden, Sandra L.

Titel

Discrepancies Between Health Professionals’ Understanding and the Evidence For Sugars Related Nutrition Issues in Canada

Ist Teil von

• The FASEB journal, 2016-04, Vol.30 (S1)

Erscheinungsjahr

2016

Quelle

Wiley Online Library - AutoHoldings Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Abstract only Media articles often focus on added sugars consumption as being responsible for rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic health concerns. However, meta‐analyses consistently demonstrate that sugars are no more likely to contribute to weight gain than other energy sources when compared on an isocaloric basis. The World Health Organization (WHO) sugars guideline recommends limiting “free sugars” (i.e. added sugars plus 100% fruit juices) to less than 10% of energy based on evidence related to dental caries, not obesity or other chronic diseases. Since health professionals are relied upon to communicate accurate scientific information to both the general public and the media, the objective of this study was to assess Canadian health professionals’ perceptions of added sugars consumption in relation to obesity and their understanding of the scientific basis of the WHO sugars guideline. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed to Canadian health professionals at national dietetics and nutrition conferences in 2013 and 2014, respectively. A total of 511 health professionals, primarily dietitians, voluntarily completed the 2013 survey in which less than half (44%) of respondents held the correct perception that the sugars found in fruits and vegetables are metabolized in the same way as sugars added to foods, and that sugars are no more likely to contribute to weight gain than other energy sources in the diet. Almost half (47%) thought sugars from “other foods” category in Canada's Food Guide contributed 15% of daily energy intake—double the actual contribution (i.e. 7.5% of energy). In the 2014 survey (n=355), two‐thirds (64%) of respondents thought added sugars contribute 21–23% of total energy intake in Canada – twice the actual amount of 11% of daily calories estimated based on total sugars data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey. Very few (9%) respondents knew added sugars consumption in Canada is approximately one‐third (30%) less than US consumption. One in ten correctly identified that the WHO 10% guideline for “free sugars” intake was based on evidence related to dental caries only, while the majority (72%) thought the guideline was based on evidence related to all of the listed options: obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and dental caries. In conclusion, a number of knowledge gaps on sugars‐related topics were identified among surveyed health professionals. Further investigation in a larger population is warranted. Future research will also focus on best practices (e.g. tools, resources) to help support the communication of evidence‐based information related to sugars to the general public and the media.