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Appetite: measurement and manipulation misgivings.
Richard D Mattes1, James Hollis, Dayle Hayes
1Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059, USA. mattesr@cfs.purdue.edu
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|May 4, 2005
Summary
Human biology favors energy intake over expenditure, a trait maladaptive in modern food environments. Current appetite control strategies show limited success due to measurement challenges and weak appetite-food intake links.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Human Physiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Human evolutionary genotype promotes energy intake exceeding expenditure, beneficial when food was scarce.
- Modern environments with abundant, palatable foods render this genotype counterproductive for weight management.
- Previous attempts to modify appetitive sensations for weight loss have yielded limited success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review common methods for assessing human appetite.
- To evaluate the impact of specific food constituents on appetitive sensations.
- To inform cautious translation of appetite research into dietetic practice.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature on appetite assessment techniques.
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects of food properties and composition on appetite.
- Critical evaluation of the robustness of the appetite-food intake relationship.
Main Results:
- Measurement of appetitive sensations presents significant methodological difficulties.
- The link between appetite and actual food choice or consumption is not consistently strong.
- Current understanding of how food constituents influence appetite is incomplete.
Conclusions:
- Existing methods for appetite assessment have limitations.
- The relationship between appetite and eating behavior requires further elucidation.
- Application of current knowledge to practical dietetics should proceed with caution.