title: High sugar intake in a group of women on methadone maintenance in south western Sydney, Australia.
abstract: Nutritional assessment comprising dietary and anthropometric measurements was conducted in a group of 86 women attending a methadone maintenance clinic in South Western Sydney, Australia. Dietary data were obtained by two 24-hour recall interviews using a standardized interview format. Nutrient intake was analysed using the NUTTAB data base of Australian foods (1992). Mean age of the sample was 29.8 (range 18-46) years and mean body mass index was 22.7 (range 16.2-43.4) kg/m2. The diet of the study group was characterized by a low energy intake of 6.48 MF (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 sugars, 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 a dental caries and chronic constipation observed in the group. The results pattern also support anecdotal evidence of a craving for sweetness described by addicts. Despite the low energy intake, body mass indices of the group were no different from the normal population. It is possible that 2 days' intake was insufficient to accurately measure accustomed diet in this group of women. Alternatively, the low intake may be a consequence of their largely sedentary life-styles.
authors.affiliation: Drug and Alcohol Services, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zador
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lyons Wall
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002241:Carbohydrates; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014930:Women
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002241:Carbohydrates; D003932:Heroin; D008691:Methadone