Trends in sugary drinks in Canada, 2004 to 2015: a comparison of market sales and dietary intake data.

objectiveThe current study aimed to examine the correspondence between sales data and dietary recall data for sugary drinks in Canada.

designRepeat cross-sectional analysis of sales data for sugary drinks sold in Canada from 2004 to 2015 from two sources: GlobalData (GD) and Euromonitor (EM). Sugary drinks included ten beverage categories containing free sugars. Analyses examined sales volumes over time, with adjustment for population growth. National intake estimates were drawn from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Nutrition.

settingCanada.

participantsNot applicable.

resultsIn 2015, daily per capita sugary drinks consumption was estimated as 356 ml (GD) and 443 ml (EM) from sales data sources, and as 277 ml from dietary recall data. Both sales data sources and dietary recall data indicated that per capita sugary drinks consumption decreased from 2004 to 2015, although the magnitude of this change differed: -23 % (GD), -17 % (EM) and -32 % (CCHS Nutrition). Market sales data showed similar trends among categories of sugary drinks, with decreases in sales of traditional beverage categories (e.g. carbonated soft drinks) and increases in novel categories (e.g. sugar-sweetened coffee).

conclusionsAll data sources indicate a declining trend in sugary drinks consumption between 2004 and 2015, but with considerable differences in magnitude. Consumption estimates from sales data were substantially higher than estimates from dietary recall data, likely due to under-reporting of beverage intake through dietary recall and the inability of sales data to account for beverages sold but not consumed. Despite the observed decline, sugary drinks sales volumes remain high in Canada.