Added sugar in first two years linked to negative health outcomes in children, study warns

Mexico City, Mexico/A study involving researchers from Universidad Iberoamericana suggests that consuming slightly more than a teaspoon of added sugar per day during a child's first two years is associated with negative health outcomes.

The research, "Early Life Added Sugars and Associated Appetite, Satiety, Growth and Adiposity in the First 2 Years of Life," tracked 248 mother-child pairs from birth to 24 months. It revealed that an intake of seven grams or more of added sugar daily correlated with approximately a two-centimeter larger waist circumference compared to children who consumed no added sugar. Furthermore, children with higher sugar intake showed slower growth in length relative to their age.

Researchers observed a progressive increase in sugar exposure during early childhood. While consumption was minimal at six months, it reached a median of 19.4 grams per day by age two. The study also linked higher added sugar intake to less favorable eating behaviors, such as increased emotional eating and greater food selectivity or rejection.

These findings highlight the critical role of the first thousand days of life in shaping taste preferences and eating habits. Frequent exposure to sugary foods may alter brain mechanisms related to reward, fostering a preference for intense sweetness and potentially displacing nutrient-rich options like fruits and vegetables.

Notably, the study identified breast milk as a protective factor. Infants exclusively breastfed for over three months consumed significantly less added sugar in their first two years.