A new study by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has ignited calls for better collection of data on food sugar levels as part of the ongoing battle against rising obesity.
The paper published in BMC Public Health online journal also raised concerns over the increasing level of imported processed foods being consumed by Australians, and the high sugar content they contain.
Data collection of food sugar levels in Australia is limited so the research group used a wide range of local and international data to estimate if the amount of sugar we consume is in fact contributing to a significant public health problem.
"By identifying foods high in sugar and using data relating to sugar supply and consumption over a 22 year period (1988 - 2010) our research generated a time series estimate of sugar in Australia's food supply," says Telethon Institute Senior Analyst, Ms Wavne Rikkers.
"What this showed was very large increases in the volume and value of imported sweetened products into Australia over that time."
"By taking into account all forms of sugar in the diet - refined sugar as well as sugar added to manufactured or processed food or drinks imported into Australia - our research would suggest that per capita sugar consumption has been increasing since 1988 and this may well be having an impact on the dietary health of our nation," said Ms Rikkers.
The Telethon Institute research also examined claims by an earlier study that reported a drop in Australian sugar consumption alongside a rise in obesity rates, therefore creating a so-called 'Australian Paradox'.
According to the latest Telethon Institute research, this claim cannot be supported given it may not have taken into consideration sugar contained in imported processed food products.
The Telethon Institute paper has now called for better monitoring of sugar levels in all food consumed in Australia - both local and imported - so a clearer and more effective indicator can be developed as to the impact of sugar consumption on the health of Australian children and adults.
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Citation: Rikkers, W. Lawrence, D. Hafekost, K, Mitrou, F. Zubrick, S.R. Trends in sugar supply and consumption in Australia: Is there an Australian Paradox? BMC Public Health 2013, 13:668 (18 July 2013)