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A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Groningen and University Medical Centre Groningen in the Netherlands has shed light on the significant impact of sugar sources on childhood weight.

Contrary to popular belief that total sugar intake alone contributes to weight gain, the study suggests that the source of sugar plays a crucial role in determining a child's risk of becoming overweight or obese.

The study, which analyzed data from the ongoing GEKCO Drenthe study focusing on children born between 2006 and 2007, delved into the relationship between sugar consumption and weight gain among children.

Parents of 891 children completed a food intake questionnaire when their children were three years old, providing crucial data for calculating daily sugar consumption.Nurses recorded the height and weight of the children to compute a body mass index (BMI) z score, indicating how a child's BMI compares to the average for their age and gender.

On average, the group consumed 112g of sugar per day. Among the children who were of normal weight at age three, 102 were identified as overweight or obese by the ages of 10 or 11.

While researchers observed no direct correlation between total sugar intake at age three and subsequent weight gain, they noted that a higher consumption of sugar from snacks like cakes or sweets was associated with an elevated BMI z score as the child aged.

A greater consumption of sugar from fruit or unsweetened dairy products like milk was associated with reduced weight gain and a lower BMI z score, according to Yahoo News.

Children with the highest intake of these items at age three had a 67% decreased likelihood of becoming obese or overweight at ages 10 or 11 compared to those with the lowest intake.

Junyang Zou, from the University of Groningen's Department of Epidemiology, emphasized, "The high consumption of sugary foods is considered a risk factor for childhood overweight and obesity, and so children are advised to consume less sugar-rich foods, such as confectionery, cakes and sugar-sweetened drinks, and eat more fruit and unsweetened dairy products, such as milk and yoghurt."

"But while fruit and unsweetened dairy products are considered healthy, they contain high amounts of intrinsic sugars - sugar that occurs naturally in the food, rather than being added. We wanted to know if the source of sugar, added versus intrinsic, as well as the amount, affects the likelihood of developing overweight or obesity."

"While this has been studied before, the results are inconsistent and there is a lack of high quality research on the topic."

The findings, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, underscore the significance of considering not only the amount but also the source of sugar in children's diets to mitigate the risk of childhood obesity and promote overall health and well-being.