May 29, 2014 - Blogs
U.S. adult obesity rates are climbing already in 2014, up to 27.7 percent from an average of 27.1 percent in 2013, according to Gallup. Fingers have long been pointed at sugar consumption as a primary cause, despite the fact sugar consumption has steadily declined for more than 10 years.
Rates were measured using the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which uses respondents’ self-reports of their height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) scores. Individual BMI values of 30 or above are classified as “obese," 25–29.9 are “overweight," 18.5–24.9 are “normal weight," and 18.4 or less are “underweight."
For the past six years, nearly two-thirds of Americans have had BMIs higher than are recommended. And, so far in 2014, 35.3 percent of adults are considered “overweight," in addition to those considered obese. Sugar-sweetened beverages are being routinely blamed for the obesity epidemic.
For instance, a 2013 study evaluated the relationship between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight, and found one daily serving of a sugary beverage was associated with an increase in BMI in children and adults. And recently, a focus on consumption of “added sugars" is turning up the heat. FDA proposed revising the Nutrition Facts label to include added sugars to clue consumers in on how much “extra" sweetener is inside. (For specifics on the proposed label changes, check out this FoodTech Toolbox infographic). FDA says consumption of added sugars tend to increase the total amount of calories consumed, along with reducing consumption of nutrient-dense foods.
This, combined with obesity rates that continue to rise, is making sugar reduction the talk of the town. And let’s not forget Katie Couric’s recent Fed Up documentary, which blames obesity almost entirely on sugars.
What the film doesn’t mention is, sugar consumption is on the decline, and has been since 1999.
According to USDA, calories derived from added sweeteners reached about 429 calories per capita—or 22 percent of average total caloric intake—in 1999, but fell to an estimated 379 calories—or about 15 percent of average total caloric intake—by 2010. USDA actually credits the drop, in part, to a reduction in consumption of sweetened carbonated beverages.
Still, the focus on sugar reduction isn’t going anywhere. Product designers will have to get innovative to create reduced-sugar products that deliver on taste, while also adhering to consumer demands for “natural" ingredients and clean labels. Many newer products are already finding a happier balance, especially in the beverage arena. For a closer look at better-for-you beverages—along with other trends in weight management—check out the Boardroom Journal’s “Thinking Big: Chipping Away at Obesity," which dives into stevia’s growing role in sugar-reduction in juices, soft drinks and other products, among other sugar-reduction strategies.
U.S. adult obesity rates are climbing already in 2014, up to 27.7 percent from an average of 27.1 percent in 2013, according to Gallup. Fingers have long been pointed at sugar consumption as a primary cause, despite the fact sugar consumption has steadily declined for more than 10 years.
Rates were measured using the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which uses respondents’ self-reports of their height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) scores. Individual BMI values of 30 or above are classified as “obese," 25–29.9 are “overweight," 18.5–24.9 are “normal weight," and 18.4 or less are “underweight."
For the past six years, nearly two-thirds of Americans have had BMIs higher than are recommended. And, so far in 2014, 35.3 percent of adults are considered “overweight," in addition to those considered obese. Sugar-sweetened beverages are being routinely blamed for the obesity epidemic.
For instance, a 2013 study evaluated the relationship between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight, and found one daily serving of a sugary beverage was associated with an increase in BMI in children and adults. And recently, a focus on consumption of “added sugars" is turning up the heat. FDA proposed revising the Nutrition Facts label to include added sugars to clue consumers in on how much “extra" sweetener is inside. (For specifics on the proposed label changes, check out this FoodTech Toolbox infographic). FDA says consumption of added sugars tend to increase the total amount of calories consumed, along with reducing consumption of nutrient-dense foods.
This, combined with obesity rates that continue to rise, is making sugar reduction the talk of the town. And let’s not forget Katie Couric’s recent Fed Up documentary, which blames obesity almost entirely on sugars.
What the film doesn’t mention is, sugar consumption is on the decline, and has been since 1999.
According to USDA, calories derived from added sweeteners reached about 429 calories per capita—or 22 percent of average total caloric intake—in 1999, but fell to an estimated 379 calories—or about 15 percent of average total caloric intake—by 2010. USDA actually credits the drop, in part, to a reduction in consumption of sweetened carbonated beverages.
Still, the focus on sugar reduction isn’t going anywhere. Product designers will have to get innovative to create reduced-sugar products that deliver on taste, while also adhering to consumer demands for “natural" ingredients and clean labels. Many newer products are already finding a happier balance, especially in the beverage arena. For a closer look at better-for-you beverages—along with other trends in weight management—check out the Boardroom Journal’s “Thinking Big: Chipping Away at Obesity," which dives into stevia’s growing role in sugar-reduction in juices, soft drinks and other products, among other sugar-reduction strategies.
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