Consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners by pre-schoolers of the food and environment Chilean cohort (FECHIC) before the implementation of the Chilean food labelling and advertising law

Abstract

Background: Consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) is becoming increasingly more frequent, particularly in the context of obesity prevention policies. The aim of this study was to describe the consumption of NNS in an ongoing cohort of pre-schoolers (4-6-year-old) before the implementation of the Chilean Food Labelling and Advertising Law, identify sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics associated with their consumption, and describe the main dietary sources of each NNS sub-type. Methods: In 959 low-medium income pre-schoolers from the Food and Environment Chilean Cohort (FECHIC), dietary data from a single 24-h recall was linked to NNS content information obtained from packaged foods (n = 12,233). The prevalence of NNS consumption was estimated by food source and characterized by child and maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. Intakes and main dietary sources were described for the six most prevalent NNS in Chile: Sodium Cyclamate, Saccharin, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, and Steviol glycosides. Results: Sixty-eight percent of the pre-schoolers consumed at least one source of NNS on the day of the dietary recall; most of them consumed NNS from foods and beverages (n = 532), while only 12% (n = 119) also consumed table-top sweeteners. The prevalence of NNS consumption was significantly higher among children whose mothers had a high educational level compared to children whose mothers did not complete high school (p < 0.05); however, it did not differ by any other variable studied. The highest intakes of NNS were observed for Aspartame [2.5 (1.4-3.7) mg/kg per consumer], followed by Sodium Cyclamate [1.6 (1.3-2.6) mg/kg per consumer] and Steviol glycosides [1.2 (0.2-2.1) mg/kg per consumer]. Beverages were the only food group that contributed to the intake of the six NNS studied, accounting for 22% of the overall intake of Saccharine and up to 99% of Aspartame intake.

Food environment solutions for childhood obesity in Latin America and among Latinos living in the United States

“… 56 Prior to the implementation of the Food Labeling and Advertising Law in Chile, low‐calorie sweeteners were found in the diet of up to 60% of children. 57 Such consumption increased by 10% among preschoolers following the changes in nutritional labeling in that country. 58 The long‐term consequences of the use of low‐calorie sweeteners at young ages include greater risk of developing NCDs as adults and long‐lasting preference for sweetened foods.…”

Implementation of childhood obesity prevention and control policies in the United States and Latin America: Lessons for cross‐border research and practice

“…17 , 18 , 19 One concern with the regulation relates to the substitution of sugar by nonnutritive sweeteners as there are also health concerns associated with the consumption of these products. 20 , 21 , 22 Another concern was related to job losses as a result of a reduction in sales of the food products targeted by the law. However, research shows that there has been no change in job losses or wages when comparing food industries with product lines that include regulated foods compared with food industries that do not sell such food products.…”

The Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweetener Consumption in the Pediatric Populations: What We Know, What We Don’t, and What We Need to Learn

“…However, it is not clear if the benefits of weight reduction outweigh the potential negative health outcomes including type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome ( 8 – 10 ). Despite the fact that NNS consumption has become ubiquitous among children and adolescents, very few studies that have looked at the health outcomes of NNS in the pediatric population ( 11 , 12 ).…”