Researchers studied 500 Dutch children and teenagers to understand how artificial sweeteners and sugars relate to obesity. Instead of asking kids what they ate (which can be inaccurate), scientists measured sweetener and sugar levels in their urine overnight. They found that certain artificial sweeteners like saccharin and sucralose were linked to higher weight measurements, while natural sugars showed the opposite pattern. This study is unique because it uses actual body measurements rather than relying on what people remember eating, making the results more trustworthy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether artificial sweeteners and sugars found in children’s bodies are connected to weight gain and belly fat
  • Who participated: 500 Dutch children and teenagers aged 8-17 years old (half were girls), with an average age of 14 years
  • Key finding: Two artificial sweeteners—saccharin and sucralose—showed connections to higher weight measurements, while natural sugars like glucose and fructose showed the opposite connection. However, this is a snapshot study, not proof that these sweeteners cause weight gain.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that certain artificial sweeteners might be linked to weight differences in kids, but it doesn’t prove they cause weight gain. Parents might consider limiting these specific sweeteners, though more research is needed. This doesn’t mean all artificial sweeteners are harmful—some showed no connection to weight.

The Research Details

Scientists collected urine samples from 500 Dutch children and teenagers overnight and measured the exact amounts of sweeteners and sugars in their urine using advanced laboratory equipment. They also measured each child’s height, weight, and waist size to calculate obesity indicators. The researchers then used statistical methods to see if higher sweetener or sugar levels in urine matched up with higher weight measurements.

This approach is smarter than asking kids what they ate because people often forget or misremember their food intake. Urine biomarkers (chemical traces in urine) show what was actually consumed, not what people think they consumed. The study adjusted for other factors that affect weight, like how much time kids spent on screens and how often they ate fruits and vegetables.

Using urine measurements instead of food diaries removes a major source of error in nutrition research. When scientists ask people to remember what they ate, mistakes happen—people forget snacks, underestimate portion sizes, or don’t remember exactly what was in their food. By measuring actual chemical traces in urine, researchers can see the real picture of what kids consumed, making the findings more reliable.

This study has several strengths: it used objective measurements (urine tests) rather than memory-based reports, included a decent sample size of 500 participants, and adjusted for other important factors affecting weight. However, it’s a snapshot in time, not a long-term study, so we can’t prove cause-and-effect. The study also only included Dutch children, so results might differ in other populations. The associations found were modest in size, meaning other factors also play important roles in children’s weight.

What the Results Show

The study found that two specific artificial sweeteners showed connections to higher weight measurements. Saccharin (found in some diet sodas and sugar-free products) was linked to higher BMI scores. Sucralose (another common artificial sweetener) showed even stronger connections to both overall weight and belly fat measurements.

Interestingly, the opposite pattern appeared with natural sugars. Children with higher levels of glucose, fructose, and total sugars in their urine actually had lower weight measurements. This seems counterintuitive since sugar is often blamed for weight gain, but the researchers explain this likely reflects different eating patterns—kids who consume more whole fruits and vegetables (which contain natural sugars) tend to weigh less than kids who consume more processed foods with artificial sweeteners.

Other artificial sweeteners tested—sucrose, acesulfame, cyclamate, and stevia—showed no significant connection to weight measurements.

The study measured both general obesity (BMI) and abdominal obesity (belly fat, measured by waist-to-height ratio). Sucralose showed connections to both types of obesity, suggesting it might be particularly relevant to weight distribution. The findings were consistent even after accounting for screen time and fruit/vegetable consumption, suggesting the sweetener associations weren’t simply due to overall unhealthy lifestyles.

Previous research on artificial sweeteners and weight has been mixed and often relied on people reporting what they ate. This study adds to the conversation by using objective measurements, which is more reliable. However, most previous studies couldn’t determine whether sweeteners cause weight gain or whether heavier kids simply consume more diet products. This study suggests the latter might be true—the associations likely reflect dietary patterns rather than sweeteners directly causing weight gain.

This is a snapshot study, meaning it shows associations at one point in time but can’t prove that sweeteners cause weight gain. It’s possible that children who are already overweight or concerned about weight consume more diet products with artificial sweeteners. The study only included Dutch children, so findings might not apply to other populations with different food products and eating habits. The statistical associations found were modest, meaning many other factors also influence children’s weight. Finally, the study couldn’t measure all possible sweeteners or dietary factors that might affect results.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research (moderate confidence level): Parents might consider limiting products containing saccharin and sucralose for children, though this study alone isn’t definitive proof these sweeteners cause weight gain. Encouraging whole fruits and vegetables remains important, as these showed healthier associations. This doesn’t mean all artificial sweeteners are equally concerning—the study found no connection for some sweeteners. Any dietary changes should be discussed with a pediatrician or nutritionist.

Parents of children and teenagers should be aware of these findings, especially if their kids consume many diet sodas or sugar-free products. Healthcare providers might use this information when counseling families about weight management. Children with obesity or family history of weight problems might benefit most from reducing these specific sweeteners. This research is less relevant for occasional consumption of diet products.

Don’t expect immediate weight changes from reducing these sweeteners. Weight management typically shows results over weeks to months. The associations found in this study suggest that long-term consumption patterns matter more than individual choices. Sustainable dietary changes work better than quick fixes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily consumption of products containing saccharin and sucralose (diet sodas, sugar-free candy, artificially sweetened drinks) and correlate with weekly weight measurements and waist circumference to see personal patterns over 8-12 weeks
  • Set a goal to replace one daily diet beverage with water, unsweetened tea, or whole fruit juice. Log this swap in the app and track how it affects energy levels and weight over time
  • Create a weekly check-in that logs: (1) servings of artificially sweetened products consumed, (2) servings of whole fruits and vegetables eaten, (3) weight and waist measurements, allowing users to see their personal correlations over months

This research shows associations between certain sweeteners and weight measurements in children, but does not prove that these sweeteners directly cause weight gain. Individual responses to sweeteners vary, and weight is influenced by many factors including genetics, overall diet, physical activity, and lifestyle. Parents should not make significant dietary changes for their children based solely on this study. Consult with a pediatrician or registered dietitian before making dietary modifications, especially for children with existing health conditions. This study reflects data from Dutch children and may not apply equally to all populations.