Seeing the Sugars we Consume
As we live our lives each day, it can be challenging to calculate our actions. Examples include the time we spend on screen time and scrolling through our phones, the number of calories we consume or the amount of steps we walk per day. One issue that affects everyone’s health and is easy to forget is the amount of sugar we consume in a day. To conduct some research on this topic, I took statistics and facts from GreatGreenWall.org to find out how much sugar we actually consume in a day and how it affects us:
- On average, Americans eat about 100 grams of sugar per day (20 tsp).
- The recommended amount for a healthier lifestyle is 50 grams per day (10 tsp).
- The American Heart Association recommendation is 45 grams of sugar for men and 30 grams of sugar for women.
- A study conducted by Johns Hopkins shows that those who eat a high-sugar diet have a 38% greater risk of heart disease.
- A high-sugar diet has been linked to obesity.
- Two sugary drinks per day increase the chances of death through cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The sugar we consume can sneak up on us in ways we don’t realize. Refined sugar is found in desserts and soda while natural sugar is found in fruits and carbs. However, refined sugar can also be found in drinks that aren’t usually associated with a high sugar content in the way sodas are, such as lemonade, fruit juice and sweet teas.
To demonstrate how much sugar is consumed through beverages compared to desserts, I took inspiration from Sarah Illenberger. Illenberger takes everyday objects and displays them in a way that showcases facts about them. Here are some examples of her work:
To create my own display, I used a variety of visual data elements to create an image that’s intriguing and digestible. I wanted to create a visual that was straightforward and has an impact on people. To do this, I poured sugar into glasses to represent how much of the beverages and foods we have are made up of sugar and how much sugar is being consumed. Each glass to the right of the drink and ice cream represents how much sugar is in each serving.
According to data visualization artist David McCandless, what makes a successful visualization includes:
- Information (data)
- Story (concept)
- Goal (function)
- Visual Form (metaphor)
By combining these elements, you will end up with an informative and intriguing visual story. It’s important to find a balance when combining these elements.
“If you combine information & function & visual form without story, you get “boring”. Something that looks good but isn’t that interesting. Similarly, if you combine visuals, information & story without considering functionality and your goal, you get something useless.”
— David McCandless
Information visualization is used in everyday life. Examples include a GPS, map or chart. This is because we are able to read visuals faster than text. Our brains are designed to better understand information in a visual form. In fact, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, which is processed 60,000X faster in the brain than text.
Overall, the use of information visualization is a creative and impactful way of conveying a message to an audience. By keeping the image, clear, metaphorical, functional and informative, many will be able to understand the message being conveyed and be left with something to take away.
References
Admin. (n.d.). Studies confirm the power of visuals to engage your audience in elearning. Studies Confirm the Power of Visuals to Engage Your Audience in eLearning. https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/350326/studies-confirm-the-power-of-visuals-in-elearning#:~:text=90%25%20of%20information%20transmitted%20to,are%20linked%20to%20the%20retina
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, November 28). Get the facts: Added sugars. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/added-sugars.html
Interaction Design Foundation. (2023, November 16). Information visualization – a brief introduction. The Interaction Design Foundation. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/information-visualization-a-brief-introduction
McCandless, D. (2020, November 21). What makes a good data visualization?. Information is Beautiful. https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/what-makes-a-good-data-visualization/
Phoenix, S. (2023, May 22). Sugar Facts & Statistics 2023: Surprising Facts & Data. Great Green Wall. https://www.greatgreenwall.org/supplements/dietary-sugar-statistics/