Diet-beverage consumption and caloric intake among US adults, overall and by body weight

Am J Public Health. 2014 Mar;104(3):e72-8. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301556. Epub 2014 Jan 16.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined national patterns in adult diet-beverage consumption and caloric intake by body-weight status.

Methods: We analyzed 24-hour dietary recall with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2010 data (adults aged ≥ 20 years; n = 23 965).

Results: Overall, 11% of healthy-weight, 19% of overweight, and 22% of obese adults drink diet beverages. Total caloric intake was higher among adults consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) compared with diet beverages (2351 kcal/day vs 2203 kcal/day; P = .005). However, the difference was only significant for healthy-weight adults (2302 kcal/day vs 2095 kcal/day; P < .001). Among overweight and obese adults, calories from solid-food consumption were higher among adults consuming diet beverages compared with SSBs (overweight: 1965 kcal/day vs 1874 kcal/day; P = .03; obese: 2058 kcal/day vs 1897 kcal/day; P < .001). The net increase in daily solid-food consumption associated with diet-beverage consumption was 88 kilocalories for overweight and 194 kilocalories for obese adults.

Conclusions: Overweight and obese adults drink more diet beverages than healthy-weight adults and consume significantly more solid-food calories and a comparable total calories than overweight and obese adults who drink SSBs. Heavier US adults who drink diet beverages will need to reduce solid-food calorie consumption to lose weight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Weight*
  • Carbonated Beverages / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Energy Intake*
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-Nutritive Sweeteners / administration & dosage*
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Non-Nutritive Sweeteners