Weight cycling in female rats increases dietary fat selection and adiposity.
The effect of repeated food restriction-refeeding (weight cycling) on macronutrient selection and adiposity was investigated in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were maintained on ad lib macronutrient self-selection and were put on one of two types of restriction. One group was reduced to 75% of their body weight on restricted amounts of chow and a second group was given ad lib chow during the concurrent period and were voluntarily hypophagic. During refeeding on macronutrient self-selection, animals previously restricted selected a higher percentage of dietary fat, had larger adipose depots and plasma insulin values, and had lower heart weights both expressed in grams and as a percentage of body weight than non-restricted groups. This suggests that both severe and moderate periods of restriction may have negative health consequences.
Reed
D R
DR
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Contreras
R J
RJ
Maggio
C
C
Greenwood
M R
MR
Rodin
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D004041:Dietary Fats