Abstract
The present investigation was planned to study the effect of meal frequency on diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) in obese children (3 boys, 2 girls). Their body weight, body fat and lean body mass (LBM)were 13-7 +-0.6yr, 100.5+-7.0 kg, 38.9,-1.35 and 61.8+-3.3 kg (mean+-SE), respectively. Postprandial resting metabolic rate (RMR)was monitored for 5h continuously by indirect calorimetry. The children consumed 1 large meal (60 kJ/ kg LBM), or 3 consecutive small meals (20 kJ/kg LBM) at 1.5h intervals on subsequent days.
The average oxygen consumption was 4. 4+-0.1 and 4.46+-0.08 ml/kg LBM/min before eating the large or small meals, respectively. DIT was higher after the consumption of one large than after small meals (5.71+-0.27 vs 3-53+-0.45 kJ/kg LBM/5h, p<0.02).The postmeal plasma insulin level was higher at 30 (92.5+-10.9 vs 51.5+-6.7 μU/ml) and 60 rain (92.0+-11.0 vs 55.3+-9.3 μU/ml, p<0.05)after the large meal than after the small meal.
Conclusion:In obese children DIT is decreased when meal frequency is increased. The higher insulin response following the large meal may be a factor promoting DIT.
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Molnár, D. 36 THE EFFECT OF MEAL FREQUENCY ON POSTPRANDIAL THERMOGENESIS IN OBESE CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 28, 283 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00060
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00060