A controlled trial of reduced meal frequency without caloric restriction in healthy, normal-weight, middle-aged adults.
BACKGROUND
Although consumption of 3 meals/d is the most common pattern of eating in industrialized countries, a scientific rationale for this meal frequency with respect to optimal health is lacking. A diet with less meal frequency can improve the health and extend the lifespan of laboratory animals, but its effect on humans has never been tested.


OBJECTIVE
A pilot study was conducted to establish the effects of a reduced-meal-frequency diet on health indicators in healthy, normal-weight adults.


METHODS
The study was a randomized crossover design with two 8-wk treatment periods. During the treatment periods, subjects consumed all of the calories needed for weight maintenance in either 3 meals/d or 1 meal/d.


RESULTS
Subjects who completed the study maintained their body weight within 2 kg of their initial weight throughout the 6-mo period. There were no significant effects of meal frequency on heart rate, body temperature, or most of the blood variables measured. However, when consuming 1 meal/d, subjects had a significant increase in hunger; a significant modification of body composition, including reductions in fat mass; significant increases in blood pressure and in total, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations; and a significant decrease in concentrations of cortisol.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal-weight subjects are able to comply with a 1 meal/d diet. When meal frequency is decreased without a reduction in overall calorie intake, modest changes occur in body composition, some cardiovascular disease risk factors, and hematologic variables. Diurnal variations may affect outcomes.
Stote
Kim S
KS
Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA.
Baer
David J
DJ
Spears
Karen
K
Paul
David R
DR
Harris
G Keith
GK
Rumpler
William V
WV
Strycula
Pilar
P
Najjar
Samer S
SS
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Ingram
Donald K
DK
Longo
Dan L
DL
Mattson
Mark P
MP
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000502:physiology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D002784:Cholesterol; D006854:Hydrocortisone