Dietary fructose consumption among US children and adults: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
BACKGROUND
High fructose intake has been associated with increased de novo lipogenesis in the liver as well as increased plasma triglycerides, insulin resistance, and obesity. Fructose occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables; however, it is added to many processed foods as table sugar (sucrose) and high-fructose corn syrup. Dietary data from a nationally representative sample in 1977-1978 estimated that mean consumption of fructose was 37 g/day (8% of total intake). Little is known about more recent fructose consumption patterns.


OBJECTIVE
We determined the amount and sources of dietary fructose among US adults and children.


METHODS
We examined fructose consumption patterns by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and body mass index for 21,483 children and adults. We used a single 24-hour dietary recall administered in the third National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES).


METHODS
Weighted estimates of fructose intake were tested for significant differences (P < .05) between groups.


RESULTS
The mean consumption of fructose was estimated to be 54.7g/day (range, 38.4-72.8) and accounted for 10.2% of total caloric intake. Consumption was highest among adolescents (12-18 years) at 72.8 g/day (12.1% of total calories). One fourth of adolescents consumed at least 15% of calories from fructose. The largest source of fructose was sugar-sweetened beverages (30%) followed by grains (22%) and fruit or fruit juice (19%).


CONCLUSIONS
Over 10% of Americans' daily calories were from fructose. These results, when compared with a previous nationally representative study, suggest that fructose consumption has increased. Further research is needed to understand the impact of increased intake of fructose on human health.
Vos
Miriam B
MB
Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition and Health Science Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Miriam_Vos@oz.ped.emory.edu
Kimmons
Joel E
JE
Gillespie
Cathleen
C
Welsh
Jean
J
Blanck
Heidi Michels
HM