Objective: To establish high intake of free sugars and its related disease burden as a significant public health challenge in Australia. Design: We discuss five key actions to reduce intake of free sugars tailored to the Australian context. These strategies are informed by reviewing the global scientific evidence on the effectiveness of a range of policy responses to reduce intake of free sugars at the population level. Setting: Australia. Participants: Australian population. Results: The five key actions to reduce population levels for intake of free sugars tailored to the Australian context include prioritising health in trade agreements and policy; introducing a fiscal policy supporting health and promoting food reformulation; regulating advertising and improving labelling; strengthening the current dietary guidelines; and encouraging healthy choices Conclusions: The adoption and implementation of the strategies discussed in the current commentary would aid in tackling the rising health burden from the intake of free sugars in Australia.
History
Citation
Gupta, A., Miller, C., Harford, J., Smithers, L. G. & Braunack-Mayer, A. (2019). Australia's sugar tale. Public Health Nutrition, 22 (14), 2682-2687.