We thank Dr. Katan (1) for correctly pointing out an error in our article on the effects of sugar consumption (2). In our discussion of the study by de Ruyter et al. (3), we should have written that the difference between the intervention and control groups was in the BMI z-score, not a difference in body weight. We cited the z-score difference (which was indeed modest) and not body weight because the former was the primary outcome of the study (3) and because it takes into consideration the BMI relative to the child’s age and sex. Of note in the trial, the BMI or body weight in the sugar-free intervention group did not go down but only increased less than the control group. More important, as indicated in the trial report (3), when the study completers and drop-outs were combined (i.e., an intention-to-treat analysis), the BMI z-score difference between groups was not significant (P = 0.06). Thus, we maintain that the trial results were not persuasive that sugar per se has an impact on body weight. Indeed, sugary beverages seem no better a target for reduction than any other source of excess calories. The issue likely remains overconsumption in general.
Article Information
Duality of Interest. No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.
