Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract only checked★ key study I-SUG-01 in-depth review

Sugar and body weight: trials and cohorts

Dietary sugars and body weight: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and cohort studies.

Overview

Te Morenga L et al.. BMJ 2012 · PMID 23321486 · DOI 10.1136/bmj.e7492

Eating more sugar increased body weight and eating less reduced it, through extra calories.

Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: high

Study explained simply

What did the researchers want to find out?: Is intake of dietary sugars associated with body weight?
How was the study done?: Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (>=2 weeks) and cohorts (>=1 year), Cochrane/GRADE methods (WHO-commissioned per literature; not stated in abstract).
How many people, animals or samples were studied?: 30 trials; 38 cohorts; Adults and children
What was actually found?: Adults ad libitum: reduced sugars -0.80 kg (0.39-1.21); increased sugars +0.75 kg (0.30-1.19); isoenergetic exchange 0.04 kg (-0.04 to 0.13). Children: SSB highest vs lowest OR 1.55 (1.32-1.82) for overweight at 1 year.
How large was the observed effect?: -0.80 kg with reduction; +0.75 kg with increase
What do the results mean in everyday life?: More sugar means more weight for most people.
What are the study's limitations?: Heterogeneity in one analysis; Child trials low compliance
What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?: Contradicts C-SUG-01; supports C-SOD-02.
Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?: High.
What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?: Effects in isoenergetic diets (none found).

Is intake of dietary sugars associated with body weight?

Study design: Meta-analysis – Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (>=2 weeks) and cohorts (>=1 year), Cochrane/GRADE methods (WHO-commissioned per literature; not stated in abstract).
Population: Adults and children
Country: Multinational
Period: Literature to Dec 2011
Sample size: 30 trials; 38 cohorts
Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Weight-loss trials and confounded trials excluded

Results: Adults ad libitum: reduced sugars -0.80 kg (0.39-1.21); increased sugars +0.75 kg (0.30-1.19); isoenergetic exchange 0.04 kg (-0.04 to 0.13). Children: SSB highest vs lowest OR 1.55 (1.32-1.82) for overweight at 1 year.
Absolute risks: not applicable
Authors' conclusion: Intake of free sugars or SSB is a determinant of body weight, mediated via energy intake.

Small but consistent weight effects.

Contradicts C-SUG-01; supports C-SOD-02.

None.

High.

Key evidence underpinning WHO 2015.

Multidimensional assessment
Multidimensional assessment
Authenticity of the source	verified
Methodological quality	high
Risk of bias	low
Precision of results	high
Directness	direct
Reproducibility	replicated
Consistency with the overall evidence	consistent
Regional transferability	high
Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)	not applicable

Long-term outcomes.