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Meal frequency and energy balance

F Bellisle1, R McDevitt, A M Prentice

  • 1INSERM U341, Hotel Dieu de Paris, France.

The British Journal of Nutrition
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
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Eating frequently, or

Area of Science:

  • Nutrition Science
  • Obesity Research
  • Metabolism Studies

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies suggest a link between frequent eating ('nibbling') and lower body weight, potentially aiding obesity prevention.
  • However, observed relationships are often weak and susceptible to confounding factors like dietary changes and under-reporting.
  • The concept of a metabolic advantage for nibbling requires thorough investigation of underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the epidemiological evidence supporting the 'nibbling' hypothesis for weight management.
  • To review mechanistic explanations for potential metabolic benefits of frequent, small meals versus larger, less frequent meals.
  • To determine the impact of meal frequency on energy expenditure and weight loss.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Systematic review of epidemiological studies on meal frequency and body weight.
  • Analysis of mechanistic studies investigating the thermic effect of feeding and total energy expenditure.
  • Examination of data from studies assessing weight loss on hypoenergetic diets with varying meal frequencies.

Main Results:

  • Epidemiological evidence for a link between nibbling and lower body weight is weak and likely confounded.
  • No significant metabolic advantage was found regarding energy expenditure; studies on the thermic effect of feeding are conflicting.
  • Total 24-hour energy expenditure shows no difference between nibbling and gorging patterns.
  • Weight loss on calorie-restricted diets is generally not influenced by meal frequency.

Conclusions:

  • The epidemiological association between frequent eating and lower body weight is likely an artifact.
  • There is no substantial evidence for a metabolic advantage of nibbling concerning energy expenditure.
  • Meal pattern's effect on body weight regulation is primarily through influencing food intake rather than energy expenditure.