Defining Energy-Dense, Nutrient-Poor Food and Drinks and Estimating the Amount of Discretionary Energy

Abstract

Overconsumption of energy provided by energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) food and drinks increases the risk of unhealthy weight gain and of obesity-related health outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop a nutrient profiling model for classifying EDNP food and drinks and to estimate the amount of discretionary energy for EDNP food and drinks in a recommended diet. A stepwise approach was used first to develop a nutrient profiling model for classifying EDNP food and drinks and then to estimate the amount of discretionary energy in a recommended diet using diet modeling. The nutrition profiling model comprised 24 macro- and micronutrients and energy density. The model classified 67% of 1482 foods and 73% of 161 drinks correctly as EDNP food and drinks compared with an expert-adjusted model. Sweets, chocolate, cake, cookies and biscuits, sweet and salty snacks, sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks, and alcoholic drinks were classified as EDNP food and drinks. The estimated amount of discretionary energy for EDNP food and drinks was 4–6% of the energy requirements for 4–75-year-old Danes. It seems prudent to have special attention on EDNP food and drinks in dietary guidelines and future public health initiatives to avoid overconsumption of energy.

A Qualitative Evaluation of Social Aspects of Sugar-Rich Food and Drink Intake and Parental Strategies for Reductions

“…New official guidelines on the maximum intake of sugar-rich foods, drinks and salty snacks have recently been developed [ 16 , 28 ]. The aim of the guidelines was to provide easy-to-grasp and intuitively functional rules of thumb for adults and children.…”

“…According to data from the Danish national survey of diet and physical activity, Danish children’s intake of sugar-rich products largely exceeds recommendations [ 15 ], and sales data suggest that on average every Dane obtains 20% of their daily energy from sugar-rich foods and drinks [ 16 ]. Previous studies have documented a lack of knowledge on maximum intake limits for sugar-rich foods and drinks among parents [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Previous studies have documented a lack of knowledge on maximum intake limits for sugar-rich foods and drinks among parents [ 17 , 18 ]. Consequently, new guidelines on the maximum intake of sugar-rich foods and drinks were developed to diminish or even close this knowledge gap [ 16 ], along with a range of information materials [ 19 ].…”

Changes in Diet and Physical Activity among 18–65-Year-Olds after the First National COVID-19 Lockdown in Denmark

“…Our data do not show changes in the consumption of candy and snacks (including cake) and stress level after the lockdown using statistical modeling. However, Danes were world champions in buying candy before the lockdown [ 45 ]. This habit is strongly linked to “hygge”—an important aspect of Danish culture and associated with enjoying simple pleasures such as eating candy and watching television and spending time with loved ones such as family members.…”

Evaluation of Parental Acceptability and Use of Intervention Components to Reduce Pre-School Children’s Intake of Sugar-Rich Food and Drinks

“…Danish children and adolescents are too sweet in the sense that their average intake of sugar-rich foods and drinks exceeds the recommended maximum amounts [1]. This challenge is not limited to Denmark, as the pattern holds across Western countries [2,3], though Denmark holds the title of 'world champions' in buying sugar confectionery [4].…”