Association of non-nutritive sweeteners intake with body weight, daily food consumption and appetite in an adult population

Background: Non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) is a substitute to sugar or nutritive sweetener, those that imitate the flavor of sugar but with less calories. This study evaluated the impact of NNS consumption on daily food intake, appetite and weight control among adults in Mount Lebanon. Methods: An online survey was conducted among 553 adults aged 18–55 years in a low socioeconomic district Mount Lebanon. A cross-sectional study design, and snowballing sampling with sample size 553 were used in the study. Chi-squared test and t test for tetrachoric correlation were used for bivariate analysis, while partial proportional odds logistic, polychotomous logistic and multiple linear models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Compared to those not consuming NNS, the odds of grains, bread, artificially sweetened non-alcoholic beverages, snacks consumptions were significantly lower for those consuming NNS ‘once a day’ and ‘2–3 times a day’; ‘2–3 times a day’ and ‘4–5 times a day’; '4–5 times a day’; ‘3–4 times a day’ and ‘5 or more times a day’. NNS consumers did not significantly have lower odds of high frequency meals and appetite respectively than non-consumers. There was no evidence of difference in BMI between NNS consumers versus non-consumers. Conclusion: NNS is associated with grains, bread, artificially sweetened non-alcoholic beverages and snacks but not with meals when it is taken in combination with the item. This study provides the basis for future research on NNS consumption in Lebanon.