Download American Heart Association Added Sugars Conference

American Heart Association Added Sugars Conference
Background
The August 2009 AHA scientific statement recommends reductions in added sugars with an upper limit of half of
the discretionary calorie allowance, which for most American women is no more than 100 calories per day and
for most American men is no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars, or about 6 teaspoons of added
sugars a day for women and 9 for men. The 2001-2004 NHANES database indicated the average intake of
added sugars for all Americans was 22.2 teaspoons per day or about 355 calories, far more than the
recommended limit. In 2006, the USDA published a database for the added sugars content of common foods,
in support of nutrition research and monitoring objectives. However, it is challenging for consumers to monitor
the amounts of added sugars in their foods as added sugars do not appear as a separate item from total sugars
on food labels. The AHA has submitted public comments to the FDA to revise the Nutrition Facts panel to
include a disclosure for added sugars. Currently, the AHA “Heart Check” food certification criteria do not include
added sugars because of the unavailability of such information on food labels. With the publication of the AHA
scientific statement, there has been heightened media and consumer interest about added sugars.
The purpose of the AHA added sugars conference is to facilitate the discussion surrounding the translation of
the AHA added sugars recommendation into programs, and find ways for implementing the recommendation to
improve the overall American diet.
The conference is being organized with the oversight of an AHA volunteer planning committee co-chaired by
Linda Van Horn of Northwestern University, Rachel Johnson of the University of Vermont, and Brent Flickinger
of Archer Daniels Midland Company.
Specific Objectives
Create an interactive and collaborative forum where relevant stakeholders engaged in food production,
development, and processing, food manufacturing and servicing, regulation and legislation, and nutrition
recommendations can receive updates from experts in the field and share information.
Discuss ways to translate the added sugars recommendation into actions in areas including regulation, food
labeling, food certification, and practical application in the American diet.
Discuss surveillance methodology and metrics needed to track the impact of reduction of added sugars on
the incidence of overweight and obesity and health outcomes.
Discuss surveillance methodology and metrics needed to track the impact of reduction of added sugars on
recommended increases in whole foods, dietary fiber and complex carbohydrate sources, e.g., fruits,
vegetables and whole grains.
Provide input necessary to generate an AHA conference proceedings report to be published in Circulation in
October 2010.
Agenda Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Welcome and Meeting Overview
Current Added Sugars Recommendations
Consumers and Added Sugars in the Food Supply
Food Technology Behind Added Sugars
Added Sugars and Health
Food Manufacturer Perspectives
Translation and Implementation of Added Sugars Intake Recommendation
Breakout Session Discussions and Report-Out
Concluding Remarks
“Hold the Date” Email to 225 People on September 30 to Target 100 Attendees
Individual e-Invitations for Registration Planned for January 2010
Hold the Dates
Attend a two-day interactive and collaborative forum where relevant stakeholders engaged in food production,
development, and processing, food manufacturing and servicing, regulation and legislation, and nutrition
recommendations can receive updates from experts and share information. Participants will also discuss ways
to translate the recently published American Heart Association added sugars consumption recommendation into
programs and implement the recommendation to improve the overall American diet.
Your input will be used to help develop an American Heart Association conference proceedings report to be
published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
The conference will be by invitation only and not be open to the media or public.
Dates
May 4, 2010
May 5, 2010
May 6, 2010
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Registration
Breakfast/Registration
General Session
Breakfast
General/Breakout Sessions
Location:
Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel
1000 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Detailed agenda, individual e-invitations, and online registration to come soon! Please don’t hesitate to
forward this email to colleagues who may be interested in attending this conference. Please contact
[email protected] with questions.