Sugar-free soft drinks ‘can lead to child obesity’

CHILDREN who consume sugar-free soft drinks are at risk of obesity, research has warned.

A major Scottish study found a link between regular consumption of artificially sweetened drinks and child obesity, despite the fact the drinks do not contain sugar.

The revelation comes as manufacturers are switching to artificial sweeteners in a bid to avoid being penalised by the new sugar tax.

But experts warn more research is needed into the long-term effects of children becoming accustomed to sweet-tasting drinks.

The study, by the Centre for Health Policy at Strathclyde University, found ‘striking levels of daily consumption of artificially sweetened beverages and sugar sweetened beverages in underfives in Scotland’.

Researchers concluded both types of soft drinks were linked to children putting on weight, with a link between regular artificially sweetened beverage consumption and the risk of obesity.

The research, led by Dr Anna Macintyre, studied almost 3,000 Scottish youngsters when they were aged between four and five and then again three years later.

At four, more than a quarter were drinking artificially sweetened beverages daily, while two-fifths were consuming sugary drinks every day.

Those drinking one to six artificially sweetened drinks a week aged four to five were almost 1.57 times more likely to be obese aged seven to eight, compared to those who drank them rarely or never.

Those drinking one to six sugary drinks a week aged four to five were 1.65 times more likely to be obese aged seven to eight, compared to children who drank them rarely or never.

The report says: ‘There are concerns that replacing sugar sweetened beverages with artificially sweetened beverages may not fully address sugar intake, and it has been argued that without sufficient evidence, artificially sweetened beverages should not be promoted as a healthier alter- native. This study demonstrated high prevalence of frequent consumption of both artificially sweetened beverages and sugar sweetened beverages at four to five years.

‘Analysis at seven to eight years showed some evidence of associations between consumption and obesity. Future research must continue to examine long-term impacts of early exposure to sweetness, both sugary and artificial, in the liquids children consume.’

The authors said youngsters who consume both types of drinks are storing up trouble for the future. Dr Ian Campbell, a GP and adviser to the charity Weight Concern, said: ‘There seems to be a clear link between the consumption of sweet tasting drinks, either sugary or artificially sweetened, in children and the risk of obesity.

‘Parents of overweight children may, for the best of intentions, switch their children to zerocalorie sweetened drinks in an effort to help them consume less. There is enough evidence of the harmful effects of sweeteners in causing increased food intake.

‘People should, if not avoid artificial sweeteners, certainly limit their use.’

The study is published in the journal Pediatric Obesity.

Yesterday, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Improving the food environment is the single biggest change that we are working towards in terms of public health.

‘The scientific advisory committee on nutrition has shown that sugar sweetened beverages result in greater weight gain in children and adolescents, compared with artificially sweetened beverages.

‘We will set out our new diet and obesity strategy this summer, which will include world leading proposals to restrict the marketing of foods high in fat, salt and sugar.’

‘There seems to be a clear link’