Consumption of low-calorie sweetened beverages is associated with higher total energy and sugar intake among children, NHANES 2011-2016.

Adjusting for body mass index (BMI) percentile, LCSB, SB, and LCSB + SB consumption was associated with 196, 312, and 450 more total calories and 15, 39, and 46 more grams of added sugar, which amounts to 60, 156, 184 more calories from added sugar, compared with water consumers (P < .05 for all pairwise comparisons). No differences in energy intake were observed between LCSB and SB consumers. [Correction added on 28 May 2019, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, quantities of added sugar reported are in grams. The corresponding calories have also been specified in this version.] CONCLUSIONS: These findings challenge the utility of LCSB for weight management in children and adolescents.