PD898 - ADHERENCE TO SUCROSE INTAKE GUIDELINES AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN POLISH CHILDREN: THE PITNUTS 2024 STUDY

PD898

ADHERENCE TO SUCROSE INTAKE GUIDELINES AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN POLISH CHILDREN: THE PITNUTS 2024 STUDY

J. Kowalkowska^1,*, M. Wiech², E. Kawiak-Jawor^3,4, A. Swiecicka-Ambroziak⁵, M. Sawicki⁶, L. Wadolowska¹, H. Weker²

¹Department of Human Nutrition, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, ²Nutrition Department, Institute of Mother and Child, ³Center for Technology Analysis and Development, Łukasiewicz Research Network – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology, Warsaw, ⁴Department of Medical Anthropology, Institute of Rural Medicine, Lublin, ⁵Medical Affairs and Market Access Department, Nutricia Polska, ⁶Nutricia Foundation, Warsaw, Poland

Rationale: Excessive sucrose intake is a major health concern, but data on its socio-demographic determinants in the youngest children is scarce.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of Polish children aged 5-72 months (n=810). Daily sucrose intake from 3-day food records was compared to WHO guidelines for free sugars. Socio-demographic associations were analyzed via logistic regression, with odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for children’s sex, age, and BMI z-score.

Results: Mean daily sucrose intake increased across age groups: 13.9g in non-breastfed infants, 27.2g in toddlers, and 36.8g in preschool-aged children (p<0.001). Excessive sucrose intake (≥10% of energy) occurred in 18.2%, 49.0%, and 61.3% of children respectively (p<0.001). Risk of excessive sucrose intake was significantly higher in toddlers (OR=3.92) and preschoolers (OR=6.45) compared to infants. While no socio-demographic associations were found in infants, lower odds of excessive sucrose intake were linked to living in the Northern macroregion (toddlers: OR=0.25, preschoolers: OR=0.42), very good parental nutrition knowledge (OR=0.38 and OR=0.25 respectively), and in preschoolers also paternal higher education (OR=0.48) and better family economic status (OR=0.42–0.51).

Conclusion: Adherence to sucrose intake guidelines declined with age, with excessive intake in nearly two-thirds of preschool-aged children. Specific family socio-demographics were associated with a lower prevalence of excessive sucrose intake in older children, providing insights for developing effective preventive nutritional strategies. 

Funding: The study was funded by the Nutricia Foundation (RG 1/2023). 

Disclosure of Interest: J. Kowalkowska: None declared, M. Wiech: None declared, E. Kawiak-Jawor: None declared, A. Swiecicka-Ambroziak: None declared, M. Sawicki Grant / Research Support from: M.S. is an employee of the Nutricia Foundation, which is the sponsor of this study. , L. Wadolowska: None declared, H. Weker: None declared