Obesity Indicators 2014

Added sugars: average intake as a percentage of food energy

Indicator Source: Food Standards Agency (FSA) Scotland

LATEST RESULTS

• The percentage of food energy contributed to by added sugars, having remained stable at around 15% to 16% between 2001 and 2010, has been approximately 14% since 2011.
• Intakes remain higher than the recommended level of less than 11% of food energy for adults.

• The proportion of children's energy intake from added sugars fell between 2006 and 2010, from 17.4% of total energy to 15.6% for boys and 15.8% for girls. This reduction was statistically significant.
• However, sugar intake in children remains higher than the recommended level of less than 11% of total energy^[5].

Proportion of food energy intake from added sugarsamong children in Scotland (aged 3-16), 2006 & 2010

Source: FSA Scotland, Survey of sugar intake among children in Scotland

ABOUT THIS INDICATOR

Desired Outcome:
Reduced energy intake.

Relevant Route Map action:
All energy consumption actions.

Indicator Source:

• Food Standards Agency (FSA) Scotland, Scottish specific analysis of population level data from the ONS Living Cost and Food Survey.
• Food Standards Agency (FSA) Scotland, Survey of sugar Intake among children in Scotland.

Equalities:
Information is collected on differences in food and nutrient intake by deprivation (using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).

Geography available: Population level information is collected on differences in food and nutrient intake by urban/rural classification.

Rationale for including this indicator:

The aim of this indicator is to monitor change in the proportion of adults and children consuming energy dense foods. As noted above, rising levels of obesity indicate that energy intakes currently exceed energy requirements with associated health problems.

Factors influencing this indicator:

• Availability, cost, and access to different food types.