Is sugar fattening?

Evidence does not support the commonly-held perception that eating too much sugar is a cause of weight gain. Overweight and obesity occur when there is a sustained excess of energy consumed over energy needed by the body and for physical activity. While excess energy intake in any form will promote obesity, high-carbohydrate foods (including sugars and starches) tend to fill you up more quickly, and compared with high-fat diets, reduce the likelihood of obesity in the long term. It is also worth remembering that one gram of carbohydrate provides only four calories whereas one gram of fat provides nine calories, again making it easier to consume excess calories on a high-fat diet. Studies have shown that high sugar consumers tend to have less fat in their diet and are more likely to be slimmer than high fat consumers, who are more likely to be overweight. The term “sugar-fat see-saw" describes the phenomenon, in which sugar and fat in the diet seem to be inversely related ie as one increases in the diet, the other tends to fall.

It is generally recognised that a diet high in carbohydrate, from a variety of sources, and regular physical activity are the best approaches to avoiding excess weight gain and obesity.

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