Dietary sugar intake among preschool-aged children: a cross-sectional study
Dietary sugar intake among preschool-aged children: a cross-sectional study
This study examined sugar intake among preschool-aged children and found that most children were consuming more free sugar than recommended, although sugar intake was not associated with measures of body weight or body composition.
What We Did and Why We Did It
We analyzed dietary data from 109 preschool-aged children (1.5 to 5 years old) participating in the Guelph Family Health Study pilot studies. Parents completed 3-day food records documenting everything their child ate and drank, which researchers analyzed to measure children’s total, free, and added sugar intake. Researchers also collected measurements of children’s body weight, body mass index (BMI) z-scores, waist circumference, and percent body fat to examine whether sugar intake was related to growth and body composition.
Early childhood is an important time for developing eating habits that can continue throughout life. Excessive sugar intake in children has been linked to concerns such as poor diet quality, dental decay, and increased risk of chronic disease. However, there is limited research on sugar intake patterns among preschool-aged children. Understanding how much sugar young children consume and where it comes from can help inform nutrition recommendations and early interventions that support healthy eating habits.
What We Found
What We Can Learn From This
Preschool-aged children in this study were consuming more free sugar than recommended. On average, children consumed 86 grams of total sugar, 31 grams of free sugar, and 26 grams of added sugar per day. About 80% of children exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommendation to keep free sugar intake below 5% of daily energy intake. The most common sources of free and added sugar were bakery products (such as muffins, breads, granola bars, and cookies), followed by sweets, cereals and grain products, and some beverages. However, researchers did not find meaningful associations between sugar intake and children’s body weight, BMI z-scores, waist circumference, or percent body fat.
Reducing sources of added and free sugar during early childhood can help children develop healthier eating patterns. Families can support healthy habits by offering a variety of nutrient-rich foods and limiting foods and drinks high in added sugars, such as sweets, sugary beverages, and highly processed snack foods. Since many children’s sugar intake came from common foods like bakery products and cereals, focusing on everyday food choices can be an important step in improving diet quality.
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