To date, adequately powered studies have not been conducted to evaluate the effect of aspartame consumption by children on energy balance (weight).

The 2009 update did not find new studies meeting the inclusion criteria for this question and the 2009 Workgroup concurs with the conclusion above formulated by the  2008 Aspartame Workgroup.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

To date, no studies were identified to evaluate the effect of neotame-sweetened beverages on energy balance in calorie-restricted or ad libitum diets in children.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

To date, no studies were identified to evaluate the effect of saccharin-sweetened beverages on energy balance in calorie-restricted or ad libitum diets in children.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

One randomized controlled trial examined (Rodearmel et al, 2007) examined sucralose and energy balance in children. The study, using human subjects, supports that the use of sucralose does not cause weight gain among children and adolescents. If non-caloric beverages, including those containing sucralose, are substituted for sugar-sweetened beverages, there is a potential for energy savings in adolescents.

This conclusion statement developed by the Nutritive and Non-nutritive Sweeteners Workgroup (2009) is consistent with the previous statement on energy balance in children developed by the Non-nutritive Sweeteners Workgroup (2006).

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.