Short Communication

International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 1160–1162. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803194; published online 14 February 2006

Variability of appetite control mechanisms in response to 9 weeks of progressive overfeeding in humans

S A Jebb1, M Siervo1, G Frühbeck2, G R Goldberg1, P R Murgatroyd3 and A M Prentice4

  1. 1MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, UK
  2. 2Department of Endocrinology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  3. 3Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Box 127, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
  4. 4MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK

Correspondence: Dr SA Jebb, Nutrition and Health Research, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK. E-mail: susan.jebb@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk

Received 4 January 2005; Revised 6 April 2005; Accepted 23 April 2005; Published online 14 February 2006.

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Abstract

Background:

 

The current epidemic of obesity demonstrates that mechanisms for maintaining human energy balance are readily subverted by adverse environmental conditions. The critical elements of this dysregulation are poorly understood. Most previous research into what regulates the intake side of the energy balance equation has been handicapped by the use of short-term within-day experimental tests.

Objective:

 

We enrolled six non-obese men to a 17-week protocol involving three 21 days periods of progressive overfeeding (+20, +40 and +60%) separated by free diet periods to test for compensatory satiety.

Results:

 

Responses to overfeeding differed markedly with evidence of 'compensators' and 'non-compensators', but on average, subsequent food intake was stimulated rather than suppressed after overfeeding in spite of markedly elevated body fat (+13%) and fasting leptin (+116%).

Discussion:

 

The inefficient response of in-built appetite control mechanisms emphasizes the need to adopt intentional cognitive restraint in the modern environment when food is plentiful.

Keywords:

overfeeding, appetite, satiety

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