High-intensity sweetener, energy and nutrient intakes of overweight women and men participating in a weight-loss program

Abstract

Intakes of high-intensity sweeteners (HIS), energy and nutrients were evaluated in overweight women (n=20) and men (n=13) participating in a weight-loss program. At baseline, measurements were made of height, weight, consumption of food products containing HIS (using a food frequency questionnaire), and energy and nutrient intakes (using 4-day food diaries). Subjects were then randomly assigned to either a reduced-calorie/low-fat (RC/LF) diet or a RC/LF diet plus a walking program for a 16-week period. At the end of 16 weeks, measurements of height, weight, HIS and food intake were repeated. Intakes of energy and fat decreased significantly for both sexes. Women lost 7.3 kg (p<0.001) and men lost 9.9 kg (p<0.001). There was a trend toward women increasing and men decreasing their HIS intake. For both groups, calcium intake was below the RDA. Women's iron intake was 69% of the RNA at baseline and fell to 59% at the end of the 16-week period. These data suggest that overweight men and women self-select food products containing HIS as part of a RC/LF diet. Even though the RC/LF diet included foods from each of the food groups, the intakes of calcium and iron were low, because the overall energy intake of the RC/LF diet was low.