This study evaluated the impact of calories from sugar on the calorie share of other macronutrients in the Brazilian family diet. The study's estimates are based on data from the Household Budget Survey conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics from July 2002 to June 2003. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the impact of sugar calories on each of the macronutrients in household food acquisition, controlling for total energy content in food acquisition and socio-demographic variables. Each calorie from sugar purchases increases the share of calories from fat by 0.3 calories and decreases the share of calories from protein by 0.7 calories. Each calorie of sugar from processed foods increases the share from fat by 1.6 calories and the share from saturated fatty acids by 0.4 calories and decreases the share from non-sugar carbohydrates by 0.8 calories. The findings shed further light on the harmful role of sugar for human health.
Feeding Behavior; Sugar; Eating
