Last updated on 8-8-2025 by Laïla Boulbayem
Why do we study dietary patterns of the population?
- What we eat and drink has a direct impact on our health and well-being. By studying dietary patterns in the population (What foods are eaten? At what frequency? By whom?), we can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to promote better diets. This knowledge helps address the risk of diet-related diseases and supports the development of healthy, sustainable food systems.
- The current page is focused on general consumption of sugar and candy in the population.
How do we study the consumption of sugar and candy?
- The consumption of sugar and candy was assessed, overall and for different population groups, using data from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Trained interviewers recorded twice, on two non-consecutive days, all the foods and drinks that participants had consumed on the previous day using a specialised computer program (GloboDiet®).
- The mean consumption of sugar and candy (in grams per day) was calculated using the average consumption, over the two recall days of each participant. Since mean distributions are skewed, comparison between population subgroups should be interpreted with caution.
- The detailed methodology can be found here.
What is included in the group of “sugar and candy”?
- Sugar;
-
Jams, marmalades and other sweet spreads;
- Honey;
- Syrups and dessert sauces;
- Chocolate, chocolate confectioneries and chocolate bars;
- Chocolate spreads;
- Confectioneries;
- Sorbets.
KEY RESULTS
The overall mean consumption of sugar and candy is 29 g per day
The mean consumption of sugar and candy consumption is greater in men (33 g per day) than in women (26 g per day)
Older adults (65 years and above) consume the most jams and marmalades (13 g per day), while adolescents (10-17) consume the most chocolate spreads (13 g per day)
By sex
Mean consumption of sugar and candy (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- The overall mean consumption of sugar and candy is 29 g/day.
- The mean consumption of sugar and candy consumption is greater in men (33 g/day) than in women (26 g/day).
- Men report slightly greater (8 g/day) consumption of chocolate spreads compared to women (4 g/day).
By age
Mean consumption of sugar and candy (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- The sugar and candy consumption varies across age groups. While the mean consumption of sugar and candy are similar across the ages 3-9 years (31 g/day), 18-39 years (29 g/day), and 65 years and over (31 g/day), the mean consumption of sugar and candy is higher in adolescents aged 10-17 (36 g/day) and comparatively lower in adults aged 40-64 years (26g/day).
- Older adults aged 65 and above report a greater mean consumption of jams, marmalade and other sweet spreads (13 g/day) compared to the other age groups, while chocolate spreads are more consumed among adolescents aged 10 to 17 (13 g/day).
By educational level
Mean consumption of sugar and candy (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium: 2022-20233
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- Individuals with low, medium, and high levels of educational attainment show similar mean consumption levels of sugar and candy (i.e., 29 g/day, 31 g/day, and 30g/day, respectively).
By region
Mean consumption of sugar and candy (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- On average, the daily consumption of sugar and candy does not differ between individuals living in Flanders and Wallonia (both 30 g/day).
- The distribution of the different subcategories of sugar and candy are also similar across the two regions.
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Food Consumption: Sugar and candy, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/food-consumption/sugar-and-candy