Candy and Health

Lack of Association with Weight, BMI and Obesity Status

A 2011 study examining the association of candy consumption on total energy intake, weight status and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in more than 15,000 U.S. adults showed that while candy contributed modestly to caloric intake, there was no association of candy intake with increased weight/body mass index (BMI). A sister study of 11,182 U.S. children and adolescents showed that while children and adolescent candy consumers had slightly higher intakes of total energy and added sugars, they were less likely to be overweight or obese than non-candy consumers. There were no associations between candy consumption and cardiovascular risk factors, including no difference in blood pressure or blood lipid levels.

• Association of Candy Consumption with Body Weight Measures, Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, and Diet Quality in U.S. Adults: NHANES 1999-2004. Nutrition Research, 2011.
• Association of Candy Consumption with Body Weight Measures, Other Health Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Diet Quality in U.S. Children and Adolescents: NHANES 1999-2004. Food & Nutrition Research, 2011.


Only 2% of Calories

Recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and market data shows that candy contributes a relatively small amount to overall caloric intake:

• Candy is only 2 to 3% of Americans’ calorie intake
• Most consumers eat candy about twice a week
• The average American eats less than 50 calories a day from candy


Only 6.1% of Added Sugar

 

Learn more about candy and health from NCAlerts an e-update series providing timely research updates, thoughtful commentaries and useful educational resources on the role of candy in health and well-being.

• NCAlert #1- September 13, 2011
• NCAlert #2- June 28, 2012