Do artificial sweeteners cause weight gain People who use ar

Do artificial sweeteners cause weight gain? People who use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar tend to be heavier than people who use sugar. Does this mean that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain? Give a more plausible explanation for this association.

Solution

The relation described here, between the use of artificial sweetener and weight, is that of a positive correlation, where high value of use of artificial sweetener is associated with high value of weight.

However, correlation does not imply causation. Use of artificial sweetener may not be a cause of high weight, as there might be an underlying external factor which causes high use of artificial sweetener and high weight simultaneously. Hence, the aboe relationship may or may not be spurrious.

Conclusion: Correlation does not necessarily imply causation. So use of artifiicial sweetener may not be a cause for increase in weight.