Consumption of Artificial Sweeteners during Pregnancy and the risk of Overweight in the Offspring

Artificial sweeteners are used to reduce energy intake, but studies suggest that consumption during pregnancy may impact the offspring’s risk of overweight. In this longitudinal cohort study, we aimed to examine the association between consumption of artificially sweetened or sugar-sweetened beverages during pregnancy and offspring overweight from birth to 18 years in the Danish National Birth Cohort. A total of 101 042 pregnancies were enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort from 1996 to 2002. Follow-up was conducted throughout pregnancy, childhood and adolescence. Additionally, 72 821 women completed an FFQ during pregnancy, reporting intake of beverages sweetened with artificial sweeteners or sugar. Offspring height and weight were obtained during childhood and adolescence. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to estimate the OR for overweight concerning maternal beverage consumption. Analyses were adjusted for risk factors for childhood overweight, including maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, physical activity and smoking in pregnancy, healthy eating index, paternal BMI, socio-economic status and duration of breastfeeding. We found increased odds of overweight in 7-, 11-, 14- and 18-year-old offspring whose mothers reported drinking ≥ 1 artificially sweetened beverage daily during pregnancy compared with no consumption (18 years: adjusted OR 1·26 (95 % CI 1·12, 1·42)). We found decreased adjusted odds of overweight in 11- and 18-year-old offspring whose mothers reported drinking ≥ 1 sugar-sweetened beverage daily during pregnancy compared with no consumption. We found that consumption of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of overweight in childhood and adolescence after adjustment for risk factors for childhood overweight.