Use of artificial sweeteners and fat-modified foods in weight loss maintainers and always-normal weight individuals

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary strategies, and use of fat- and sugar-modified foods and beverages in a weight loss maintainer group (WLM) and an always-normal weight group ( NW). Subjects: WLM (N = 172) had maintained >= 10% weight loss for 11.5 years, and had a body mass index (BMI) of 22.0 kg m(-2). NW (N = 131) had a BMI of 21.3 kg m(-2) and no history of being overweight. Three, 24-h recalls on random, non-consecutive days were used to assess dietary intake. Results: WLM reported consuming a diet that was lower in fat (28.7 vs 32.6%, P < 0.0001) and used more fat- modification strategies than NW. WLM also consumed a significantly greater percentage of modified dairy ( 60 vs 49%; P = 0.002) and modified dressings and sauces ( 55 vs 44%; P = 0.006) than NW. WLM reported consuming three times more daily servings of artificially sweetened soft drinks (0.91 vs 0.37; P = 0.003), significantly fewer daily servings of sugar-sweetened soft drinks (0.07 vs 0.16; P = 0.03) and more daily servings of water (4.72 vs 3.48; P = 0.002) than NW. Conclusions: These findings suggest that WLM use more dietary strategies to accomplish their weight loss maintenance, including greater restriction on fat intake, use of fat- and sugar-modified foods, reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increased consumption of artificially sweetened beverages. Ways to promote the use of fat- modified foods and artificial sweeteners merits further research in both prevention- and treatment-controlled trials. International Journal of Obesity ( 2009) 33, 1183-1190; doi:10.1038/ijo.2009.147; published online 28 July 2009