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Scientific Studies Show Aspartame
is Beneficial in Weight Control
Blackburn et al. (1997) conducted a randomized, controlled, prospective
clinical follow-up study to investigate whether the addition of
aspartame to a multidisciplinary weight control program would improve
weight loss and long-term control of body weight in obese women.
- One-hundred sixty-eight obese women aged 20 to 60 years were placed
on a nutrient-balanced deficit diet (1000 ± 200 kcal/day)
for three weeks. At the end of this time, the subjects were instructed
to continue the balanced deficit diet and were randomly assigned
either to consume aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages during
the remaining 16 weeks of active weight loss phase of the study
or to avoid such products.
- During the one-year weight maintenance
phase and two-year follow-up periods, participants were encouraged
to continue to consume or avoid aspartame-containing products according
to their original group assignment.
- During the active weight loss period, all subjects attended weekly
one-hour sessions with instruction on behavioral and lifestyle strategies
to facilitate weight loss. During the 12-month maintenance and the
19-month follow-up, the groups met monthly. Throughout the study,
regular exercise, mainly walking, was strongly encouraged. Body
weight, aspartame intake, exercise level and subjective ratings
of hunger, desire for sweets and eating control were evaluated at
baseline, 19, 71, and 156 weeks.
- One-hundred thirty-six subjects completed the active weight loss
phase; 125 subjects completed the maintenance phase; and 86 subjects
completed the follow-up phase. Subjects in both treatment groups
lost a mean of approximately 10% of body weight (10 kg) during the
19 weeks of active weight loss.
- Among subjects in the aspartame
group, aspartame consumption was positively associated with weight
loss. The desire for sweets decreased significantly in the aspartame
group but not in the no-aspartame group; hunger did not differ significantly
from baseline in either treatment group, but eating control increased
significantly in both treatment groups. Hunger and desire for sweets
remained unchanged within both treatment groups during the maintenance
phase (weeks 19 –71). Eating control decreased significantly
in both maintenance and follow-up phases in both groups, suggesting
more uncontrolled eating during maintenance and follow-up.
- At the end of the maintenance phase (Week 71), subjects in the
aspartame group experienced a 3.1% mean weight regain, and those
in the no-aspartame group regained a mean of 4.9%. By the end of
the follow-up phase (Week 156), subjects in the aspartame group
had regained an additional 2.4%, with a net weight loss from baseline
of 5.1%. In contrast, subjects in the no-aspartame group had a gain
of 5.4%, with a net weight loss of 0.3% from baseline. Significant
predictors of better weight control from baseline to Week 156 included
increased exercise, increased self-reported eating control, and
initial treatment group assignment, where aspartame group subjects
had an advantage over the no-aspartame group subjects.
- The researchers
concluded that aspartame, as part of a multidisciplinary weight
control program, may facilitate weight control.
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