Objectives: We described 27-year secular trends in added-sugar intake and body mass index (BMI) among Americans aged 25 to 74 years.
Methods: The Minnesota Heart Survey (1980-1982 to 2007-2009) is a surveillance study of cardiovascular risk factors among residents of the Minneapolis-St Paul area. We used generalized linear mixed regressions to describe trends in added-sugar intake and BMI by gender and age groups and intake trends by weight status.
Results: BMI increased concurrently with added-sugar intake in both genders and all age and weight groups. Percentage of energy intake from added sugar increased by 54% in women between 1980 to 1982 and 2000 to 2002, but declined somewhat in 2007 to 2009; men followed the same pattern (all P < .001). Added-sugar intake was lower among women than men and higher among younger than older adults. BMI in women paralleled added-sugar intake, but men's BMI increased through 2009. Percentage of energy intake from added sugar was similar among weight groups.
Conclusions: Limiting added-sugar intake should be part of energy balance strategies in response to the obesity epidemic.