International Journal of Obesity 28 July 2009; 10:1038

Use of artificial sweeteners and fat-modified foods in weight loss maintainers and always-normal weight individuals

Phelan S, Lang W, Jordan D, Wing R

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary strategies, and use of fat- and sugar-modified foods and beverages in a weight loss maintainer group (WLM) and an always-normal weight group (NW).

Subjects: WLM (N=172) had maintained ≥10% weight loss for 11.5 years, and had a body mass index (BMI) of 22.0 kg m². NW (N=131) had a BMI of 21.3 kg m² and no history of being overweight. Three, 24-h recalls on random, non-consecutive days were used to assess dietary intake.

Results: WLM reported consuming a diet that was lower in fat (28.7 vs 32.6%, P<0.0001) and used more fat-modification strategies than NW. WLM also consumed a significantly greater percentage of modified dairy (60 vs 49%; P=0.002) and modified dressings and sauces (55 vs 44%; P=0.006) than NW. WLM reported consuming three times more daily servings of artificially sweetened soft drinks (0.91 vs 0.37; P=0.003), significantly fewer daily servings of sugar-sweetened soft drinks (0.07 vs 0.16; P=0.03) and more daily servings of water (4.72 vs 3.48; P=0.002) than NW.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that WLM use more dietary strategies to accomplish their weight loss maintenance, including greater restriction on fat intake, use of fat- and sugar-modified foods, reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increased consumption of artificially sweetened beverages. Ways to promote the use of fat-modified foods and artificial sweeteners merits further research in both prevention- and treatment-controlled trials.

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