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Topical Area: Dietary Patterns

Dietary Patterns (Poster Session)

(P14-023-23) Charting the Chronology of Research on Added Sugars: A Scoping Review and Evidence Map

Sunday, July 23, 2023
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board 23
Disclosure(s):
Stephen A. Fleming, PhD: FoodMinds: Consultant (Ongoing)
National Cattlemens Beef Association: Consultant (Ongoing)
Potatoes USA: Consultant (Ongoing)
The Sugar Association: Consultant (Ongoing)
Tristen L. Paul, MSc: Beef Checkoff: Consultant (Ongoing)


Objectives: The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review and produce a publicly available database characterizing the design and reporting elements of the literature on dietary added sugars and select health outcomes.

Methods: A primary literature review (using PubMed) and backward citation screening were conducted to identify studies published from 1990 – 2021 on the associations of interest. Dual data extraction was performed to create a database of relevant data from this body of literature – including study and population characteristics, reported added sugars source and concentrations, diet energy balance, total energy intake, and outcome measures related to body composition, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Results: 247 publications were identified, 22% of which describe interventions and 78% describe observational studies. Publications on the topic have risen rapidly since 2010, dominated by studies assessing body composition or cardiovascular health in adults consuming liquid sources of sugar. Over 65% of studies measured total energy intake, 60% controlled for total energy intake in the study design and analysis, and less than 5% of studies reported the energy balance of subjects.

Conclusions: There exists substantial heterogeneity across all facets of methodology – study designs, exposures and outcomes of interest, terminology, and reporting of dietary intake data – limiting the ability to synthesize evidence in this scope of literature. This evidence map highlights gaps and important areas for improvement to strengthen the state of research, and therefore future policies and dietary recommendations on added sugars.

Funding Sources: Traverse Science received funding from Sugar Association, Inc. to perform the review and write the manuscript. Author SAF has ownership in Traverse Science. TLP, JAP, and SAF are currently or were employees of Traverse Science at the time the research was conducted.