Nutritively sweetened beverage consumption and body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized experiments

Nutritively sweetened beverages (NSBs) may play a role in the obesity epidemic. We abstracted data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and evidence-based reviews through January 2009 concerning effects of consumption of NSBs on changes in body weight and adiposity. Studies included were those (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Obesity reviews 2011-05, Vol.12 (5), p.346-365
Main Authors: Mattes, R.D, Shikany, J.M, Kaiser, K.A, Allison, D.B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adiposity
Beverages
Body Mass Index
Body Weight - drug effects
body weight changes
diet
dose response
Humans
meta-analysis
obesity
Obesity - etiology
Obesity - prevention & control
people
randomized clinical trials
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Sweetening Agents - administration & dosage
Sweetening Agents - adverse effects
systematic review
weight gain
weight loss
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Summary:Nutritively sweetened beverages (NSBs) may play a role in the obesity epidemic. We abstracted data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and evidence-based reviews through January 2009 concerning effects of consumption of NSBs on changes in body weight and adiposity. Studies included were those (i) conducted in humans; (ii) lasting at least 3 weeks; (iii) incorporating random assignment of subjects to conditions that differed only in the consumption of NSBs and (iv) including an adiposity indicator as an outcome. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of six studies that added NSBs to persons' diets showed dose-dependent increases in weight. Contrarily, meta-analysis of studies that attempted to reduce NSB consumption consistently showed no effect on body mass index (BMI) when all subjects were considered. Meta-analysis of studies providing access to results separately for subjects overweight at baseline showed a significant effect of a roughly 0.35 standard deviations lesser BMI change (i.e. more weight loss or less weight gain) relative to controls. The current evidence does not demonstrate conclusively that NSB consumption has uniquely contributed to obesity or that reducing NSB consumption will reduce BMI levels in general. We recommend an adequately powered RCT with overweight persons, for whom there is suggestive evidence of an effect.
ISSN:1467-7881
1467-789X
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00755.x