Grant: IPPH Travel Awards - CPHA Annual Conference

Background Consumption of sugars contributes to obesity and consequent chronic diseases. The World Health Organization and the US Department of Agriculture recommend consummation of added and free sugars not to exceed 10% of total energy intake (TEI). The added and free sugar content of foods and beverages consumed in Canada is not documente wd, and the sugar consumption and compliance with the above recommendation are unknown. Data and methods The added and free sugar content of 5,374 foods and beverages listed in the 24-hour dietary recalls of the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition was calculated using established procedures. The distribution of usual intake of the added, free and total sugars by Canadians was estimated using the National Cancer Institution method. Results On average, Canadians consume 57.07 g/day added sugars, 66.62 g/day free sugars and 105.83 g/day total sugars in 2015. The average estimated added, free and total sugar intake contributed to 11.4%, 13.3% and 21.65% of TEI, respectively. Only 49.05% and 33.48% of Canadians consumed no more than 10% TEI from added and free sugars, respectively. The high sugars food groups included desserts and sweets, breakfast cereals, baked products, beverages and snacks. Desserts and sweets, and beverages contributed to most sugar intake in the Canadian diet. Interpretation Most Canadians consumed added and free sugars in excess of recommendations. Estimated values in this study will help policymakers articulate intervention targets and help researchers to evaluate the health and economic impacts of excessive sugar consumption.