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Or do we just eat and drink too many calories?
Is fructose being unfairly blamed for the obesity epidemic? Or do we just eat and drink too many calories?
Researchers from St. Michael's Hospital reviewed more than 40 published studies on whether the fructose molecule itself causes weight gain.
In 31 'isocaloric' trials they reviewed, participants ate a similar number of calories, but one group ate pure fructose and the other ate non-fructose carbohydrates. The fructose group did not gain weight.
In 10 'hypercaloric' trials, one group consumed their usual diet and the other added excess calories in the form of pure fructose to their usual diet or a control diet. Those who consumed the extra calories as fructose did gain weight.
However, all that could mean is that one calorie is simply the same as another, and when we consume too many calories we gain weight, said the lead author, Dr. John Sievenpiper.
His research was published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
"Fructose may not be to blame for obesity," he said. "It may just be calories from any food source. Overconsumption is the issue."
Fructose is naturally found in fruits, vegetables and honey. Participants in the studies examined by Dr. Sievenpiper ate fructose in the form of free crystalline fructose, which was either baked into food or sprinkled on cereals or beverages.
The studies did not look at high-fructose corn syrup, which has been singled out as the main culprit for weight gain. It is only 55 per cent fructose, along with water and glucose.
Dr. Sievenpiper said the majority of studies they examined were small, of short-duration and of poor quality, so there is a need for larger, longer and better quality studies.
The papers, published ahead of the UN’s first high-level meeting on non-communicable disease in September, highlight the possible health and economic burdens of obesity if it’s left unchecked.
The research states that 15 million people are already obese in the UK and suggests this could rise by 11 million over the next two decades. The researchers estimate this will drive up spending on obesity related health problems by 25 per cent each year, costing the NHS an extra £2 billion annually.
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “These predicted figures for obesity and heart disease in the UK are deeply worrying and show how urgently action is needed. And it’s not just the UK, obesity is now a global pandemic fuelling diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. If we fail to tackle it now we’ll leave a legacy of people living poor quality lives and dying young.
“What we have to remember is that obesity is a ‘normal response’ to our environment. Culturally, we’re reliant on cars, our jobs and leisure activities are increasingly sedentary and we are faced with an abundance of easily available high-energy foods.
“Yet while we all have a role to play in tackling this problem, this research recognises that national governments are the most significant players - ahead of individuals, industry and civil society. In the UK, we need our Government to take the lead and make it easier to be healthier, such as by ensuring children are fully protected from junk food marketing on and off line.”
The studies are published in the Lancet.
ENDS
For more information please call the BHF press office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290381 (out of hours) or email
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Notes to editors:
Statement issued in response to a series of four studies published in the Lancet on Friday 26 August 2011.
“Obesity 1: The global obesity pandemic: shaped by global drivers and local environments” by Boyd A Swinburn et al. Lancet 2011; 378: 804–14
“Obesity 2: Health and economic burden of the projected obesity trends in the USA and the UK” by Y Claire Wang et al. Lancet 2011; 378: 815–25
“Obesity 3: Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on Bodyweight” by Kevin D Hall et al. Lancet 2011; 378: 826–37
“Obesity 4: Changing the future of obesity: science, policy, and action” by Steven L Gortmaker et al. Lancet 2011; 378: 838–47
The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease.
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