Sugar, non-nutritive sweetener intake and obesity risk in college students

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between sugar and NNS consumption with body fat percentage in young adults. Methods 524 college students were asked to complete the Web-based National Institutes of Health (NIH) Diet History Questionnaire II and had their body fat percentage measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis scale. Result One-fourth of the participants were classified as overfat/obese and of those overfat or obese, 49% of them were African American. Overfat/obese participants consumed significantly more sugar than the heathy group and the underfat group (p < 0.001). Saccharin consumption was significantly higher in the overfat/obese group compare to the underfat and normal groups (p < 0.001). The odds of becoming overfat/obese increased 1.2 times for excessive total sugar consumption (95% CI: 1.0-1.8, p < 0.05). Conclusion Excessive sugar and saccharin consumption were associated with higher body fat percentage in young adults.

Automated summary

Excessive sugar and saccharin consumption are associated with higher body fat percentage in young adults.