title: Test-meal palatability is associated with overconsumption but better represents preceding changes in appetite in non-obese males.
abstract: Single-course, ad libitum meals are recommended for the assessment of energy intake within appetite research. This study represents the first investigation of the comparative sensitivity of two single-course, ad libitum meals designed to differ in palatability. We conducted two experiments using a preload study design. All protocols were identical except for the energy content of the preloads (Expt 1: 579 and 1776 kJ; Expt 2: 828 and 4188 kJ). During each experiment, ten healthy men completed four experimental trials constituting a low- or high-energy preload beverage, a 60-min intermeal interval and consumption of a pasta-based or a porridge-based, ad libitum meal. Appetite ratings were measured throughout each trial, and palatability was assessed after food consumption. Preload manipulation did not influence appetite (P=0·791) or energy intake (P=0·561) in Expt 1. Palatability and energy intake were higher for the pasta meal than for the porridge meal in both experiments (palatability P≤0·002; energy intake P≤0·001). In Expt 2, consumption of the high-energy preload decreased appetite (P=0·051) and energy intake (P=0·002). Energy compensation was not significantly different between pasta and porridge meals (P=0·172), but was more strongly correlated with preceding changes in appetite at the pasta meal (r -0·758; P=0·011) than the porridge meal (r -0·498; P=0·143). The provision of a highly palatable, pasta-based meal produced energy intakes that were more representative of preceding appetite ratings, but the moderately palatable, porridge-based meal produced more ecologically valid energy intakes. Ad libitum meal selection and design may require a compromise between sensitivity and ecological validity.
authors.affiliation: 1Institute for Sport, Physical Activity & Leisure,Leeds Beckett University,Leeds LS6 3QS,UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deighton
authors.affiliation: 2Department for Health,University of Bath,Bath BA2 7AY,UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.affiliation: 2Department for Health,University of Bath,Bath BA2 7AY,UK.
authors.forename: Javier T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite; D001835:Body Weight; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D013649:Taste; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Energy compensation; Energy intake; HE high energy; LE low energy; Preloads; Sensitivity