Article

The Australian Paradox: A Substantial Decline in Sugars Intake over the Same Timeframe that Overweight and Obesity Have Increased

Barclay, Alan W. & Brand-Miller, Jennie, 2011. “The Australian Paradox: A Substantial Decline in Sugars Intake over the Same Timeframe that Overweight and Obesity Have Increased”, Nutrients3, 2011

The study’s aim was to analyse the trends in obesity and sugar consumption in Australia over the last 30 years and compare with the UK and USA. The results confirm the “Australian Paradox” where a decline in sugar intake took place at the same time as obesity increased. Some key insights from the study:

  • “Our findings do not support the widely held belief that reducing the consumption of refined sugars, and increasing the availability and preference for low-joule beverages, will help to reverse societal trends in obesity”
  • “The findings challenge the implicit assumption that taxes and other measures to reduce intake of soft drinks will be an effective strategy in global efforts to reduce obesity”

You can find the whole paper here.

Ineffective on obesity, What others say: experts, Australia