Circulation. 2010 Dec 7;122(23):2470-90. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0b013e3181ffdcb0. Epub 2010 Nov 8.
A 2-day forum was convened to (1) discuss ways to translate the 2009 American Heart Association added sugars recommendations into actions in areas such as regulation, food labeling, nutrient content claims, and practical application in the American diet; (2) review surveillance methodology and metrics for tracking and understanding the impact of reducing added sugars in the diet; and (3) initiate the development of a framework for future collaboration to help Americans implement science-based guidance relative to added sugars.
More than 100 multinational participants representing scientists from academia and government and stakeholders engaged in food production, development, and processing, food manufacturing and servicing, food and nutrition policy, and nutrition recommendations for the public attended the conference. Presentations included definitions and examples of added sugars, current US and international added sugars perspectives, added sugars in diets of individuals and in the food supply, food technology behind added sugars, added sugars and health, food manufacturer perspectives, added sugars food-labeling considerations, and examples of positive approaches to improve eating behaviors and the food environment. Facilitated breakout sessions were conducted after the plenary sessions to allow participants to contribute their expertise and thoughts.
The American Heart Association Added Sugars Conference is the first step in an important process that facilitates collaboration across science, public health, and industry to foster innovation, partnerships, policy, and implementation of new products and services for the benefit of the health and well-being of the American public. Science has advanced in the area of added sugars and health, creating mounting pressure to use better methods for translation and dissemination of the science for consumer education and for food companies to respond by producing foods and beverages with fewer added sugars. The new science also reinforces the importance of preventing, rather than simply treating diseases, especially overweight and obesity, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Reducing added sugars consumption is a good target for addressing obesity, along with other sources of excess calories. However, the potential unintended consequences of substituting added sugars with ingredients that may not reduce calories and of increasing other macronutrients or food groups that may not result in a net health gain must be considered. Although there are many challenges to incorporating added sugars to the food label as was discussed during the conference, disclosure of added sugars content on food and beverage labels is an essential element in consumer education and can provide the information and motivation for making healthier food choices. This conference demonstrated the value of interactive dialogue among multiple sectors and disciplines. More disciplines should be at the table to bring expertise to discuss cross-cutting issues related to public policies and offer diverse insights to finding a solution.
召开了为期两天的论坛，以（1）讨论如何将美国心脏协会 2009 年添加糖的建议转化为法规、食品标签、营养成分声明等领域的行动，并探讨实用的应用方法，以改善美国人的饮食；（2）审查跟踪和了解减少饮食中添加糖的影响的监测方法和指标；以及（3）启动制定未来合作框架的工作，以帮助美国人实施与添加糖相关的基于科学的指导。
来自学术界和政府以及食品生产、开发和加工、食品制造和服务、食品和营养政策以及公众营养建议等利益相关方的 100 多名多国参与者参加了会议。会议的内容包括添加糖的定义和示例、当前美国和国际添加糖的观点、个人和食品供应中的饮食添加糖、添加糖背后的食品技术、添加糖与健康、食品制造商的观点、添加糖食品标签考虑因素，以及改善饮食行为和食品环境的积极方法示例。在全体会议之后，举行了分组讨论，让参与者有机会贡献他们的专业知识和想法。
美国心脏协会添加糖会议是一个重要过程的第一步，该过程促进了科学、公共卫生和行业之间的合作，以促进创新、伙伴关系、政策以及新产品和服务的实施，从而造福美国公众的健康和福祉。在添加糖与健康领域，科学取得了进展，这对将科学知识进行转化和传播提出了更高的要求，以便为消费者提供教育，并使食品公司通过生产添加糖较少的食品和饮料做出回应。新的科学还强调了预防疾病的重要性，而不仅仅是治疗疾病，特别是超重和肥胖、糖尿病、高血压、心脏病和中风。减少添加糖的摄入是解决肥胖问题的一个很好的目标，同时还可以解决其他多余卡路里的来源。然而，必须考虑用可能不减低热量的成分替代添加糖，以及增加可能不会带来净健康收益的其他宏量营养素或食物组的潜在意外后果。尽管在会议期间讨论了将添加糖纳入食品标签的诸多挑战，但在食品和饮料标签上披露添加糖的含量是消费者教育的重要组成部分，可以提供更健康的食品选择的信息和动力。本次会议展示了多部门和多学科之间进行互动对话的价值。应该有更多的学科参与其中，带来专业知识来讨论与公共政策相关的跨领域问题，并提供多样化的见解来寻找解决方案。
