Edulcorantes no nutritivos: consumo de los niños y adolescentes, y alimentos que los aportan Translated title: Non-nutritive sweeteners: children and adolescent consumption and food sources

Abstract

La disponibilidad de alimentos y bebidas con edulcorantes no nutritivos (ENN) aumentó en años recientes. Objetivos: Estimar el consumo de ENN en niños y adolescentes de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, la prevalencia de ingesta superior a la admisible y los principales alimentos y bebidas aportadores. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de información recolectada en la Primera Encuesta Alimentaria y Nutricional de la ciudad de Buenos Aires realizada en 2011 que incluyó 2664 niños y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años. El consumo se evaluó mediante recordatorio de 24 horas. El contenido de ENN en alimentos y bebidas se obtuvo del rotulado nutricional. Se calculó la ingesta total de cada ENN y la adecuación a la ingesta diaria admisible (IDA) establecida por FAO/OMS. Resultados: El 44% de los preescolares, 53% de escolares y 51% de los adolescentes consumieron alimentos con ENN. Ningún niño presentó un consumo superior a la IDA de aspartamo, acesulfame-K y sucralosa. El 0,3% de los preescolares superó la IDA de sacarina, el 1% de preescolares, 0,9% de escolares y el 0,1% de los adolescentes superaron la IDA de ciclamato, debido al consumo de jugos concentrados para diluir. Las bebidas aportaron el 67% del ciclamato, el 91% del acesulfame-K y el 96% del aspartamo. Los edulcorantes de mesa aportaron el 30% del ciclamato y el 32% de la sacarina. Conclusión: El consumo de alimentos con ENN es usual en la población infanto juvenil, principalmente a partir de bebidas. Menos del 1% de los niños supera la IDA de ciclamato y sacarina.

Translated abstract

The availability of food and beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) has increased in recent years. Objectives: To estimate NNSs consumption among children and adolescents in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the prevalence of a daily intake higher than acceptable, and the main food and beverages contributing to it. Material and methods: Descriptive study about the information collected in the First Food and Nutritional/Nutrition Survey of Buenos Aires City, which was conducted in 2011 and included 2664 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. Consumption was assessed by means of a 24-hour recall. NNSs content in food and beverages was obtained from nutrition facts labels. The total dietary intake for each NNSs and the adequacy to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Forty four percent of preschoolers, 53% of school children, and 51% of adolescents have had food with NNSs. No child was exposed to a consumption of aspartame, acesulfameK, and sucralose higher than the ADI. Saccharin consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.3% of preschoolers while cyclamate consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.9% of school children and 0.1% of adolescents, due to the consumption of concentrated juice, to be diluted with water. Beverages provided 67% of cyclamate, 91% of acesulfameK, and 96% of aspartame. Table-top sweeteners provided 30% of cyclamate and 32% of saccharin. Conclusion: Consumption of food and beverages with NNSs is usual among children and adolescents, mainly from beverages. Less than 1% of children are exposed to a consumption of cyclamate and saccharin higher than the ADI.