ArticleBMC nutrition2022
Free sugar intake and associated factors among Sri Lankan preschool children.
Article in BMC nutrition, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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3 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- YFAS-derived 'sugar addiction symptom scores' are unrelated to BMI or sugar intake.European journal of nutrition · 2026Article
- Association of Pulp Involvement, Ulceration, Fistula, Abscess and Body Mass Index among Primary School Children: A Case-Control Study.International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry · 2025Article
- Fiscal policies and regulations for healthy diets in Sri Lanka: an analysis of the political economy of taxation and traffic light labelling for sugar-sweetened beverages.Global health action · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundExcessive free sugar intake tends to be associated with unpleasant health consequences, such as dental caries and unhealthy weight gain in children, as well as a number of noncommunicable diseases in adults. The WHO suggests that the best method for addressing these issues is to reduce free sugar consumption throughout life, in order to be successful, these measures should be implemented as early as possible. This makes the early formative years of preschool an important point for possible intervention. To confirm this, baseline information on current sugar intake levels is needed, as well as identification of factors associated with high levels of consumption.
methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The probability proportionate to size technique combined with cluster sampling was used to select a representative sample of 813 children aged 4-5-years from 82 preschools. We developed, and validated a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess free sugar consumption. Data on correlated factors were collected from caregivers using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire.
resultsBased on the data, the daily median (IQR) free sugar intake of preschool children was 57.9 (33.2-95.8) grams/day (approximately to 14.5 (8.3-23.9) teaspoons/day) or 21.1% (12.5-34.9%) of their daily energy requirements. The WHO recommends limiting sugar intake to less than 5% of total energy intake; however, the current level is fourfold, and 96% of children consume higher percentage of energy from free sugar than recommended. In terms of total daily sugar consumption, bakery products accounted for 27%, followed by biscuits (15%), and table sugar (15%). Increasing maternal education level significantly reduced sugar intake (p = 0.04). Children of other ethnicities ate more sugar than the Sinhala children (p = 0.01). There was higher sugar intake among those who ate while returning from preschool (p < 0.001), while watching television (p < 0.001), and those who had school-going siblings (p = 0.02).
conclusionAmong preschool children, free sugar consumption levels were very high and most of the children consumed more sugar than is recommended; which warranted urgent actions to curb sugar intake among them.
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