Data from large , epidemiologic studies support the existence of an association between  artificially-sweetened beverage  consumption and weight gain in children .
Epidemiological data have demonstrated an association between artificial sweetener use and  weight gain .
Evidence of a causal relationship linking artificial sweetener use to weight gain and other metabolic health effects is limited .
However , recent animal studies provide intriguing information that supports an active metabolic role of artificial sweeteners .
This systematic review examines the current literature on  artificial sweetener consumption in children and its health effects .
Effects of aspartame in young persons during weight reduction.
Given the potential use of a low-calorie sweetener during weight reduction , a toxicity study of chronic aspartame ingestion was conducted . Particular attention was given to possible long-term effects of aspartame on the fuel hormonal alterations characteristically caused by weight reduction . As a group mean age was 19.3 yr , body weight was 164.6 lb , and mean height was 65.4 in . Subjects were an average of 33 % in excess of ideal body weight . The aspartame dose was 2.7 g/day and was compared on a double-blind r and omized basis with a lactose placebo . Both material s were given in gelatin capsules . An average of 6.9 + /- 1.5 lb was lost by the aspartame group during the 13-wk study on a calculated 1,000-calorie diet . The placebo group lost 4.5 + /- 1.2 lb ( no significant difference between the two groups ) . After an overnight fast , reductions in glucose and immunoreactive insulin were seen in both groups , while rising trends in immunoreactive glucagon were observed . These changes are all characteristic of calorie restriction . In no instance was there a detectable effect of the ingested aspartame . No meaningful effect of weight reduction or aspartame was seen on plasma triglyceride and cholesterol , nor on any other parameter of hematologic , hepatic , or renal function that was measured . Similarly , side effects were equally distributed between asparatame and placebo
Data from large , epidemiologic studies support the existence of an association between  artificially-sweetened beverage  consumption and weight gain in children .
Epidemiological data have demonstrated an association between artificial sweetener use and  weight gain .
Evidence of a causal relationship linking artificial sweetener use to weight gain and other metabolic health effects is limited .
However , recent animal studies provide intriguing information that supports an active metabolic role of artificial sweeteners .
This systematic review examines the current literature on  artificial sweetener consumption in children and its health effects .