NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Consumption of Added Sugars Among U.S. Adults, 

2005–2010

R. Bethene Ervin, Ph.D., R.D., and Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D., M.R.P.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey, 

2005–2010

•	 The mean percentage of total

calories from added sugars 

decreased with increasing age 

and increasing income.

•	 Non-Hispanic black men 

and women consumed a 

larger percentage of their total 

calories from added sugars 

than non-Hispanic white and 

Mexican-American men and 

women.

•	 More of the calories from 

added sugars came from foods 

rather than beverages. 

•	 More of the calories from 

added sugars were consumed 

at home rather than away from 

home.

Increased consumption of added sugars, which are sweeteners added to 

processed and prepared foods, has been linked to a decrease in intake of 

essential micronutrients (1,2) and an increase in body weight (3). The 

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 recommends limiting total intake of 

discretionary calories, including both added sugars and solid fats, to 5%–15% 

per day (4). Recent analyses indicate that children and adolescents obtain 

approximately 16% of their total caloric intake from added sugars (5). This 

data brief presents results for consumption of added sugars among U.S. adults 

for 2005–2010. Results are presented by sex, age, race and ethnicity, income, 

type of food consumed (food or beverage), and location of consumption.

Keywords: calories • income • National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey

Does the mean number of calories consumed from added 

sugars differ by sex, and by age group?

Men consumed more calories per day from added sugars than women. Men 

consumed an average of 335 kilocalories (kcals) from added sugars compared 

Figure 1. Mean kilocalories from added sugars among adults aged 20 and over, by age group and 

sex: United States, 2005–2010 Kilocalories

1

Significantly different from females, p < 0.05. 2

Significant linear trend by age, p < 0.05.

NOTE: Estimates that were not age-specific were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the three age 

groups shown. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2010.

500

400

300

200

100

0

Total 20–39 years 40–59 years 60 years and over

Male Female

1,2397

1

335 1

338

2

275

1 239 236 224

182
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

■  2  ■

with 239 kcals for women (Figure 1). Caloric intake from added sugars decreased linearly with 

age for men and women. Men aged 20–39 consumed an average 397 kcals from added sugars, 

men aged 40–59 consumed an average 338 kcals from added sugars, and men aged 60 and over 

consumed an average 224 kcals from added sugars. Women aged 20–39 consumed an average 

275 kcals from added sugars, women aged 40–59 consumed 236 kcals from added sugars, and 

women aged 60 and over consumed 182 kcals from added sugars.

Are there differences in the percentage of total calories consumed from 

added sugars by age group?

A small but nonsignificant difference was observed in the percentage of total calories consumed

from added sugars between men and women. Men consumed an average 12.7% of their calories 

from added sugars compared with 13.2% for women (Figure 2). The percentage of total calories 

contributed by added sugars decreased linearly with age for men and women. Men aged 20–39 

consumed 14.1% of their calories from added sugars, men aged 40–59 consumed 12.5% of their 

calories from added sugars, and men aged 60 and over consumed 10.7% of their calories from 

added sugars. Women aged 20–39 consumed 14.5% of their calories from added sugars, women 

aged 40–59 consumed 12.9% of their calories from added sugars, and women aged 60 and over 

consumed 11.2% of their calories from added sugars.

Figure 2. Mean percentage of kilocalories from added sugars among adults aged 20 and over, by age group and sex: 

United States, 2005–2010 

1

Significant linear trend by age, p < 0.05.

NOTE: Estimates that were not age-specific were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the three age groups shown.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2010. Percent

12.7

1

14.1

10.7

1

14.5

12.9

11.2

12.5

13.2

0

5

10

15

20

Male Female

Total 20–39 years 40–59 years 60 years and over
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

■  3  ■

Are there differences in the percentage of total calories consumed from 

added sugars by race and ethnicity?

Non-Hispanic black men consumed a larger percentage of their total calories from added sugars 

than non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American men (Figure 3). Non-Hispanic black men 

consumed 14.5% of their calories from added sugars compared with 12.8% for non-Hispanic 

white men and 12.9% for Mexican-American men. Non-Hispanic black women also consumed a 

larger percentage of their total calories from added sugars than non-Hispanic white and MexicanAmerican women. Non-Hispanic black women consumed 15.2% of their calories from added 

sugars compared with 13.2% for non-Hispanic white women and 12.6% for Mexican-American 

women. No significant differences in percentage of calories from added sugars were found

between non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American men or women.

Figure 3. Mean percentage of kilocalories from added sugars among adults aged 20 and over, by race and ethnicity and 

sex: United States, 2005–2010 

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American adults, p < 0.05.

NOTES: Persons of other race and ethnicity are not shown. Estimates were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using three age groups: 20–39, 

40–59, and 60 and over.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2010. Percent

12.8

1

14.5

1

15.2

12.6 12.9 13.2

0

5

10

15

20

Male Female

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Mexican American
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

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Are there differences in the percentage of total calories consumed from 

added sugars by poverty level?

The percentage of total calories contributed by added sugars decreased linearly with increasing 

income for men and women (Figure 4). Men in the lowest income category consumed 14.1% of 

their calories from added sugars, while men in the middle income category consumed 13.6% of 

their calories from added sugars, and men in the highest income category consumed 11.5% of 

their calories from added sugars. Women in the lowest income category consumed 15.7% of their 

calories from added sugars, while women in the middle income category consumed 13.4% of 

their calories from added sugars, and women in the highest income category consumed 11.6% of 

their calories from added sugars.

Figure 4. Mean percentage of kilocalories from added sugars among adults aged 20 and over, by poverty level and sex: 

United States, 2005–2010 

1

Significant linear trend by poverty level, p < 0.05. 2

Significantly different from females, p < 0.05.

NOTE: Estimates were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using three age groups: 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2010. Percent

1,214.1

13.6 13.4

11.5 11.6

1

15.7

0

5

10

15

20

Male Female

Less than 130% 130% –149% 350% or more
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

■  5  ■

Were adults more likely to consume the added sugars from foods and 

beverages at home or away from home?

Foods contributed 67% of calories from added sugars compared with 33% from beverages 

(data not shown in Figure 5). Nearly two-thirds of the added sugars consumed from foods 

were consumed at home (67.2%), compared with 58% of added sugars calories from beverages 

(57.8%) (Figure 5). These results for added sugars intakes are consistent with those for total 

caloric intakes. That is, 67% of the total calories that adults consumed were consumed at home. 

The remainder was consumed away from home (data not shown in Figure 5).

Figure 5. Percentage of kilocalories from added sugars among adults aged 20 and over, by type of food and where the 

food was consumed: United States, 2005–2010 

1

Significantly different from percentage of added sugars consumed at home, p < 0.05.

NOTE: Estimates were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using three age groups: 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2010. Percent

0

20

40

60

80

100

Home

Beverages Food

Away from home

1

42.2

57.8

1

32.8

67.2

Summary

Approximately 13% of adults’ total caloric intakes came from added sugars between 2005 and 

2010. These results are still relatively high, given that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 

2010 recommendation is that no more than 5% to 15% of calories should come from solid fats 

and added sugars (4). Men consumed a larger absolute amount of calories from added sugars than 

women, but not when their added sugars intakes were expressed as a percentage of total calories. 

Non-Hispanic black men and women consumed a larger percentage of calories from added sugars 

than non-Hispanic white or Mexican-American men and women, and the percentage of calories 

from added sugars declined with increasing age and income.

The differences seen between subgroups of adults are not consistent with differences observed in 

youth. The percentage of calories from added sugars increased with increasing age for children 

and adolescents, but there was no difference in added sugars consumption between income 

groups. Non-Hispanic white children and adolescents consumed a larger percentage of their total 

calories from added sugars than their Mexican-American counterparts, but their intakes were not 

significantly different from non-Hispanic black children and adolescents (5).
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

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The majority of added sugars were obtained from foods in comparison to beverages. However, 

previous research has shown that when foods and beverages are separated into specific food or

beverage items, regular sodas are the leading food source of added sugars, at least for adults 

aged 18–54 (6). Results presented here show that among adults, one-third of calories from 

added sugars (33%) came from beverages. In children and adolescents, 40% of calories from 

added sugars came from beverages (5). Regardless of whether the added sugars are from food or 

beverages, the majority of the calories from added sugars as well as total calories are consumed at 

home by both adults and youth.

Definitions

Calories compared with kilocalories: A calorie is a measure of the energy produced as foods or 

beverages are burned for energy in the body. The term calorie is usually used when discussing 

energy from foods and diets, but the calorie being referred to is actually a kilocalorie (7). In this 

report, the term calorie refers to kilocalorie. Calories from added sugars represent the energy from 

added sugars. The percentage of daily calories from added sugars represents the percentage of 

total daily energy obtained from added sugars.

Added sugars: Added sugars include all sugars used as ingredients in processed and prepared 

foods such as breads, cakes, soft drinks, jams, chocolates, and ice cream, and sugars eaten 

separately or added to foods at the table. Examples of added sugars include white sugar, brown 

sugar, raw sugar, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, maple syrup, 

pancake syrup, fructose sweetener, liquid fructose, honey, molasses, anhydrous dextrose, crystal 

dextrose, and dextrin; see http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12355000/pdf/mped/

mped2_doc.pdf#Chapter10.

Type of food consumed: A measure indicating whether the source of the added sugars was a food 

or beverage. Beverages include milk and milk substitutes, sugar drinks (fruit drinks, sodas, energy 

and sports drinks, and sweetened bottled water), fruit juices, nectars, vegetable juices, coffee, tea, 

and alcoholic beverages. Food includes anything that was not classified as a beverage.

Location of added sugars consumption: Respondents to the 24-hour dietary recall interview were 

asked where each reported food or beverage was consumed—at home or away from home. 

Percent of federal poverty level: An index based on the ratio of family income to poverty. The 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) poverty guidelines were used as the 

poverty measure to calculate this index (8). These guidelines are issued each year, in the Federal 

Register, for determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs such as Head Start,

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly Food Stamp Program), Special 

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children or WIC, and the National 

School Lunch Program.

Data source and methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used for these 

analyses. NHANES is a cross-sectional survey designed to monitor the health and nutritional 

status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population (9). The survey consists of interviews 

conducted in participants’ homes, standardized physical examinations in mobile examination 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

■  7  ■

centers (MECs), and laboratory tests utilizing blood and urine specimens provided by participants 

during the physical examination. Dietary information for this analysis was obtained via an inperson 24-hour dietary recall interview in the MEC.

The NHANES sample is selected through a complex, multistage design that includes selection of 

primary sampling units (counties), household segments within the counties, households within 

segments, and, finally, sample persons from selected households. The sample design includes

oversampling to obtain reliable estimates of health and nutritional measures for population 

subgroups. For survey years 2005–2006, African-American and Mexican-American subgroups 

were oversampled. For 2007–2008, African-American and overall Latino subgroups were 

oversampled, with sufficient sample sizes for analysis of the Mexican-American subgroup. In

1999, NHANES became a continuous survey, fielded on an ongoing basis. Each year of data

collection is based on a representative sample covering all ages of the civilian noninstitutionalized 

population. Public-use data files are released in 2-year cycles. 

Sample weights, which account for the differential probabilities of selection, nonresponse, 

and noncoverage, were incorporated into the estimation process. The standard errors of the 

percentages were estimated using Taylor Series Linearization, a method that incorporates the 

sample weights and sample design.

Differences between groups were evaluated using a t statistic at the p < 0.05 significance level.

Test for trends by age were evaluated using linear regression, and the significance level was set at

p < 0.05. All differences reported are statistically significant unless otherwise indicated. Statistical

analyses were conducted using SAS System for Windows (release 9.3; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, 

N.C.) and SUDAAN (release 10.0; RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C.).

About the authors

R. Bethene Ervin and Cynthia L. Ogden are with the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination 

Surveys. 

References

1. Marriott BP, Olsho L, Hadden L, Conner P. Intake of added sugars and selected nutrients in 

the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006. 

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 50(3):228–58. 2010.

2. Bowman SA. Diets of individuals based on energy intakes from added sugars. Family 

Economics and Nutrition Review. 12(2):31–8. 1999.

3. Vartanian LR, Schwartz MB, Brownell KD. Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition 

and health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Public Health 97:667–75. 2007.

4. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary 

Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7th ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

2010.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

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National Center for Health Statistics

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Hyattsville, MD 20782

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NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 122 ■ May 2013

5. Ervin RB, Kit BK, Carroll MD, Ogden CL. Consumption of added sugar 

among U.S. children and adolescents, 2005–2008. NCHS data brief, no 87. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2012.

6. Welsh JA, Sharma AJ, Grellinger L, Vos MB. Consumption of added 

sugars is decreasing in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 94(3):726–34. 

2011.

7. Energy. In: Food, nutrition & diet therapy. 7th ed. Krause MV, Mahan 

LK, editors. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company. pp. 9–23. 1984.

8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Poverty guidelines, 

research, and measurement: The 2011 HHS poverty guidelines. Washington, 

DC. 2011. Available from: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml.

9. National Center for Health Statistics. National Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey: Questionnaires, datasets, and related documentation. 

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes_questionnaires.htm.

Suggested citation

Ervin RB, Ogden CL. Consumption of 

added sugars among U.S. adults, 2005–

2010. NCHS data brief, no 122. Hyattsville, 

MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 

2013.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., Acting Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health and Nutrition 

Examination Surveys

Kathryn S. Porter, M.D., M.S., Director

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