title: Increased meal frequency attenuates fat-free mass losses and some markers of health status with a portion-controlled weight loss diet.
abstract: Increased meal frequency (MF) may be associated with improvements in blood markers of health and body composition during weight loss; however, this claim has not been validated. The purpose of the study was to determine if either a 2-meal (2 MF) or 6-meal frequency (6 MF) regimen can improve body composition and blood-based markers of health while consuming a portion-controlled equihypocaloric diet. Eleven (N=11) obese women (52 ± 7 years, 101.7 ± 22.6 kg, 39.1 ± 7.6 kg/m(2)) were randomized into treatment condition (2 MF or 6 MF) for 2 weeks, completed a 2-week washout, and alternated treatment conditions. In pre/post fashion, changes in body composition, glucose, insulin, and lipid components were measured in response to a test meal. Body mass was successfully lost (P ≤ .05) under both feeding regimens (2 MF: -2.8 ± 1.5 vs 6 MF: -1.9 ± 1.5 kg). Altering MF did not impact glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P>.05). On average, fat-free mass (FFM) decreased by -3.3% ± 2.6% following the 2 MF condition and, on average, increased by 1.2% ± 1.7% following the 6 MF condition (P ≤ .05). Fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) percentage increased during the 2 MF condition; this was significantly greater than that in the 6 MF condition (1.3% ± 12.2% vs 0.12% ± 10.3%) (P ≤ .05). Overall, reductions in MF (2 MF) were associated with improved HDL-C levels; but the clinical significance is not clear. Alternatively, increased MF (6 MF) did appear to favorably preserve FFM during weight loss. In conclusion, caloric restriction was effective in reducing body mass and attenuating FFM changes in body composition; however, glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism had no significant differences between MF.
authors: Department of Kinesiology, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 92407. Electronic address: michellekalencar@gmail.com.
authors: Michelle K
authors: MK
authors: Alencar
authors: Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM; School of Fitness Education, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM.
authors: Jason R
authors: JR
authors: Beam
authors: Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: McCormick
authors: Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Ailish C
authors: AC
authors: White
authors: Department of Kinesiology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA.
authors: Roy M
authors: RM
authors: Salgado
authors: Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Len R
authors: LR
authors: Kravitz
authors: Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Christine M
authors: CM
authors: Mermier
authors: Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Ann L
authors: AL
authors: Gibson
authors: Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Carole A
authors: CA
authors: Conn
authors: Southwest Endocrinology Associates, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Kolkmeyer
authors: Southwest Endocrinology Associates, Albuquerque, NM.
authors: Robert T
authors: RT
authors: Ferraro
authors: Department of Exercise Science, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO.
authors: Chad M
authors: CM
authors: Kerksick
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006126:Group Processes; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D062407:Meals; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D064787:Portion Size; D062410:Snacks; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Eating frequency; Glucose; Insulin; Lean body mass; Obesity; Reduced-calorie diet