The effect of ingesting olestra-based foods on feeding behavior and energy balance in humans

This article reviews currently published works on the effects of olestra on appetite and energy intake (EI) in humans. To date 24 studies have examined the impact of olestra-containing foods on aspects of feeding behavior, which are published in 20 reports. The general response of human subjects to olestra-based decreases in dietary energy density (ED) is either poor caloric compensation or partial (nonmacronutrient specific) increases in EI. Averaging the degree of energy compensation across 22 studies gives a value of 27% (nonweighted mean). In studies where compensation occurred, fat intake but not EI was reduced. These effects appear to occur in both lean and obese, men and women and under a variety of conditions ranging from the laboratory to real life. However, all but two of these studies were short term. One study suggests that in subjects to whom weight loss is desirable these deficits can persist for up to 3 months. Subjects with no wish to lose weight may compensate better over longer periods. In another 3-month study, ingestion of olestra-based foods did not induce energy deficits but limited the significant weight gain seen on a full-fat control. The longer term effects of olestra on body weight requires further investigation. There is evidence that restrained eaters tend to eat slightly more of olestra-based foods if they know that they are reduced in fat and energy. This is probably a general response to low-fat foods rather than to olestra per se. The fact that olestra-based foods have the potential to provide the sensory qualities of real fat suggests that these foods may be particularly effective in habitual high-fat consumers with a sensory preference for dietary fat.