Gender Differences in the Appetite Response to a Satiating Diet

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Human Physiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with numerous health benefits.
• Understanding gender-specific responses to dietary interventions is crucial for personalized nutrition and weight management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender differences in appetite sensations following MedDiet meals.
• To determine if the satiating effects of the MedDiet change over time and differ between genders.

Main Methods:

• A 4-week isoenergetic MedDiet intervention was conducted in 38 men and 32 premenopausal women.
• Appetite sensations (desire to eat, hunger, fullness, prospective food consumption) were measured using visual analogue scales before and after meals.
• Measurements were taken on a single day during the first and fourth weeks of the intervention.

Main Results:

• Women reported significantly greater decreases in desire to eat, hunger, and overall appetite score post-meal compared to men.
• No significant gender differences were observed in fullness or prospective food consumption responses immediately post-meal.
• Pre-meal prospective food consumption increased over the 4 weeks in men, but not in women, indicating a gender-specific temporal adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender differences exist in appetite sensations experienced during MedDiet consumption.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering gender when developing dietary strategies for appetite regulation and body weight management.