title: Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Are the Main Sources of Added Sugar Intake in the Mexican Population.
abstract: Sugar intake has been associated with an increased prevalence of obesity, other noncommunicable diseases, and dental caries. The WHO recommends that free sugars should be <10% of total energy intake (TEI) and that additional health benefits could be obtained with a reduction below 5% of TEI.
  
  
  
  The objective of this study was to estimate the total, intrinsic, and added sugar intake in the Mexican diet and to identify the food groups that are the main sources of these sugars.
  
  
  
  We used data from a national probabilistic survey [ENSANUT (National Health and Nutrition Survey) 2012], which represents 3 geographic regions and urban and rural areas. Dietary information was obtained by administering a 24-h recall questionnaire to 10,096 participants. Total sugar intake was estimated by using the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) food-composition table and an established method to estimate added sugars.
  
  
  
  The mean intakes of total, intrinsic, and added sugars were 365, 127, and 238 kcal/d, respectively. Added sugars contributed 13% of TEI. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were the main source of sugars, contributing 69% of added sugars. Food products high in saturated fat and/or added sugar (HSFAS) were the second main sources of added sugars, contributing 25% of added sugars.
  
  
  
  The average intake of added sugars in the Mexican diet is higher than WHO recommendations, which may partly explain the high prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Mexico. Because SSBs and HSFAS contribute >94% of total added sugars, strategies to reduce their intake should be strengthened. This includes stronger food labels to warn the consumer about the content of added sugars in foods and beverages.
authors: Center for Nutrition and Health Research.
authors: Tania G
authors: 0000-0002-7743-0047
authors: TG
authors: Sánchez-Pimienta
authors: National Council for Science and Technology - Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico; and.
authors: Carolina
authors: 0000-0002-2823-6651
authors: C
authors: Batis
authors: Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization/WHO, Washington, DC.
authors: Chessa K
authors: 0000-0003-1601-4645
authors: CK
authors: Lutter
authors: Center for Nutrition and Health Research, jrivera@insp.mx.
authors: Juan A
authors: 0000-0003-2586-4908
authors: JA
authors: Rivera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D064427:Nutritive Sweeteners / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D064427:Nutritive Sweeteners
keywords: Mexico; carbohydrates; dietary sucrose; food; monosaccharides; nutrition surveys