The effects of consuming frequent, higher protein meals on appetite and satiety during weight loss in overweight/obese men

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dietary protein and eating frequency on perceived appetite and satiety during weight loss. A total of 27 overweight/obese men (age 47 ± 3 years; BMI 31.5 ± 0.7 kg/m(2)) were randomized to groups that consumed an energy-restriction diet (i.e., 750 kcal/day below daily energy need) as either higher protein (HP, 25% of energy as protein, n = 14) or normal protein (NP, 14% of energy as protein, n = 13) for 12 weeks. Beginning on week 7, the participants consumed their respective diets as either 3 eating occasions/day (3-EO; every 5 h) or 6 eating occasions/day (6-EO; every 2 h), in randomized order, for 3 consecutive days. Indexes of appetite and satiety were assessed every waking hour on the third day of each pattern. Daily hunger, desire to eat, and preoccupation with thoughts of food were not different between groups. The HP group experienced greater fullness throughout the day vs. NP (511 ± 56 vs. 243 ± 54 mm · 15 h; P < 0.005). When compared to NP, the HP group experienced lower late-night desire to eat (13 ± 4 vs. 27 ± 4 mm, P < 0.01) and preoccupation with thoughts of food (8 ± 4 vs. 21 ± 4 mm; P < 0.01). Within groups, the 3 vs. 6-EO patterns did not influence daily hunger, fullness, desire to eat, or preoccupation with thoughts of food. The 3-EO pattern led to greater evening and late-night fullness vs. 6-EO but only within the HP group (P < 0.005). Collectively, these data support the consumption of HP intake, but not greater eating frequency, for improved appetite control and satiety in overweight/obese men during energy restriction-induced weight loss.

Figures

Figure 1

Perceived (a) hunger, (b) desire to eat, and (c) preoccupation with thoughts of food throughout the day following the 3 vs. 6-EO patterns in NP vs. HP diet groups. Closed diamonds, NP group following the 3-EO pattern; open diamonds, NP group following the 6-EO pattern; closed squares, HP group following the 3-EO pattern; and open squares, HP group following the 6-EO pattern. Main effect of group: HP vs. NP at specific time points, *P < 0.01; main effect of group: HP vs. NP at specific time points, †P = 0.067. EO, eating occasions; HP, higher protein; NP, normal protein.

Figure 2

Perceived fullness throughout the day following the 3 vs. 6-EO patterns in normal vs. higher protein diet groups. Closed diamonds, NP group following the 3-EO pattern; open diamonds, NP group following the 6-EO pattern; closed squares, HP group following the 3-EO pattern; and open squares, HP group following the 6-EO pattern. Main effect of group: HP vs. NP at specific time points, *P < 0.05; protein × eating frequency interaction: HP-3EO vs. HP-6EO at specific time points; †P < 0.005; main effect of group: HP vs. NP, ‡P < 0.005. EO, eating occasions; HP, higher protein; NP, normal protein.