In children, does aspartame affect appetite or food intake?

Conclusion Statement

Limited evidence indicates that aspartame consumption does not affect appetite or food intake in children.

Evidence Summary

Two studies were considered for this evidence analysis question. Subjects were children and pre-school children of both male and female gender.

In a cross-over RCT of positive research quality, Anderson et al, 1989 evaluated the effect of beverages sweetened with either sucrose or aspartame (34mg per kg of body weight) on food intake with 20 children ages nine to 10 (50% male). Testing took place on two non-consecutive days. Children fasted after 8 P.M.; at 8 A.M. subjects had a standardized breakfast; at 10 A.M. they received a drink sweetened with sucrose or aspartame. Food intake was measured at lunch and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were used to evaluate hunger. There were no differences in food intake and macronutrient selection at lunchtime in children who consumed drinks with either sucrose or aspartame.

In a non-randomized trial of neutral research quality, Wilson et al, 2000 served four menus six times each for a total of 24 lunch meals during 12 weeks to 135 pre-school children (age range 18 to 66 months, 47% male gender). Beverages varied among white milk or chocolate milk sweetened with either sucrose or aspartame (amount not described). There was no significant difference in the amount of chocolate milk children drank, whether sweetened with aspartame or sucrose. Children who drank sucrose-sweetened milk did not compensate for energy content by eating less of other foods and thus received more net calories. Hunger was not assessed in this study.