A 42.8-gram daily gap in added sugar consumption separates American adults who frequently check nutrition labels from those who rarely do, according to research published in the journal Nutrients by investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The cross-sectional study examined dietary data from 9,416 participants collected during the 2017–March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycle. Researchers at the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity evaluated how label-reading habits correspond to daily consumption of added sugars—sugars and syrups incorporated into foods and beverages during processing or preparation.
Excessive consumption of added sugars contributes to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dental caries. The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend zero added sugars for children aged 10 and younger and no more than 10 grams per meal for older individuals.
- Label Reading Correlation: Adults who regularly consult nutrition labels consume 42.8 fewer grams of added sugar daily than infrequent readers.
- Socioeconomic Disparities: Over 90% of college graduates check labels at least sometimes, compared with 62.6% of adults lacking a high school diploma.
- Daily Intake Baseline: Across the entire survey sample, participants consumed an average of 70.3 grams of added sugars per day, accounting for 13.2% of their total daily calories.
Adults who reported frequent label use consumed an estimated 61.7 grams of added sugars daily, compared with 104.4 grams among infrequent readers. Among children and youth, frequent label users consumed 64.5 grams daily versus 79.0 grams for infrequent users, representing a 14.5-gram difference.
The analysis revealed distinct demographic patterns in label consultation across the United States population. While 78.1% of adults and 76.3% of children or their caregivers reported frequent label use, frequency varied by education level and household income relative to federal poverty thresholds.
| Participant Group | Frequent User Added Sugar Intake | Infrequent User Added Sugar Intake | Observed Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (NHANES 2017–March 2020) | 61.7 g per day | 104.4 g per day | 42.8 g per day |
| Children and Youth | 64.5 g per day | 79.0 g per day | 14.5 g per day |
Among children in the highest-income households, defined as family income at least 3.5 times the federal poverty threshold, the difference in added sugar consumption reached 43.1 fewer grams daily between frequent and infrequent label users. Conversely, among children in the lowest-income households, the observed difference was small and did not reach statistical significance.
Because the investigation relied on an observational cross-sectional design, researchers cautioned that the findings cannot establish direct causation. Individuals who already prioritize healthier diets may simply be more inclined to consult nutrition labels, and broader socioeconomic factors could partly explain the variance.
The survey period coincided with the introduction of updated Nutrition Facts panels by food manufacturers, meaning participants encountered evolving labeling formats. Future public health strategies could pair targeted nutrition education with front-of-package warning labels and accessible lower-sugar options to support broader dietary improvements.
- Koyama, A. K., Pejavara, A., & Self, J. L. (2026). Nutrition Label Use and Intake of Added Sugars in US Children and Adults. Nutrients, 18(22), 3733. MDPI
