Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

NNNS: Effect on Energy Balance (Weight) in Children (2010)

The Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners workgroup (2009) developed separate questions (below) related to energy balance/weight for each non-nutritive sweetener.

• Intervention
  In children, does using beverages with aspartame in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance (weight)?

  • Conclusion

    To date, adequately powered studies have not been conducted to evaluate the effect of aspartame consumption by children on energy balance (weight).

    The 2009 update did not find new studies meeting the inclusion criteria for this question and the 2009 Workgroup concurs with the conclusion above formulated by the  2008 Aspartame Workgroup.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: NNNS: Aspartame and Energy Balance (Weight) 2008
     
  In children, does using beverages with neotame in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance(weight)?

  • Conclusion

    To date, no studies were identified to evaluate the effect of neotame-sweetened beverages on energy balance in calorie-restricted or ad libitum diets in children.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: Neotame 2009
     
  In children, does using beverages with saccharin in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance (weight)?

  • Conclusion

    To date, no studies were identified to evaluate the effect of saccharin-sweetened beverages on energy balance in calorie-restricted or ad libitum diets in children.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: Saccharin 2009
     
  In children, does using beverages with sucralose in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance (weight)?

  • Conclusion

    One randomized controlled trial examined (Rodearmel et al, 2007) examined sucralose and energy balance in children. The study, using human subjects, supports that the use of sucralose does not cause weight gain among children and adolescents. If non-caloric beverages, including those containing sucralose, are substituted for sugar-sweetened beverages, there is a potential for energy savings in adolescents.

    This conclusion statement developed by the Nutritive and Non-nutritive Sweeteners Workgroup (2009) is consistent with the previous statement on energy balance in children developed by the Non-nutritive Sweeteners Workgroup (2006).

     

     

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: In children, does using beverages with sucralose in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Rodearmel SJ, Wyatt HR, Stroebele N, Smith SM, Ogden LG, Hill JO. Small changes in dietary sugar and physical activity as an approach to preventing excessive weight gain: The American on the Move family study. Pediatrics. 2007 Oct; 120(4): e869-e879.  
  • Search Plan and Results: Sucralose - 2009