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Body composition, energy expenditure, and physical activity

Usefulness of the satiety quotient in a clinical pediatric obesity context

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 74, pages 930–937 (2020)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

While the satiety quotient (SQ) is increasingly used in pediatric populations, the present study assessed its reliability and reproducibility in adolescents with obesity.

Methods

Sixty-eight adolescents with obesity were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements and body composition (DXA) were assessed. They randomly completed two experimental sessions: (i) condition with a standardized breakfast used to calculate SQ (C1); (ii) condition with the same breakfast and ad libitum lunch and dinner buffet meals (C2). Appetite feelings were assessed at regular interval (visual analog scales).

Results

SQ for hunger (SQH), satiety (SQS), prospective food consumption (SQP), and desire to eat (SQD) were calculated using the breakfast. SQH, SQD, and SQ mean did not differ between conditions (p = 0.41, 0.57, and 0.74, respectively) whereas SQS and SQP were significantly different between conditions (p = 0.007 and 0.005). None of the SQ was correlated with body weight (BW), BMI, or FM. There was no significant correlation between the SQ and the adolescent’s ad libitum energy intake (lunch, dinner, and total). No differences were observed between adolescents with a low and high phenotype for BW, BMI, and FM% (p = 0.26, 0.30, and 0.83); total energy (p = 0.21); total protein intake (p = 0.28); total fat intake (p = 0.24) and total carbohydrate intake (p = 0.44). Thirty percent of the adolescents showed different satiety phenotype (low vs. high) between C1 and C2.

Conclusions

While the SQ is a reliable indicator in adults, it must be used with caution in adolescents with obesity due to its lack of association with anthropometric measurements, body composition, and energy and macronutrient intakes in this population.

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Fig. 1: Design of the study.
Fig. 2: Bland and Altman graphical diagram presenting individual variations differences between Condition 1 and Condition 2.
Fig. 3: Correlation coefficients obtained between the SQ and anthropometric measures, body composition and energy intake.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all of the adolescents that participated in the program, and to the Nutrition Obesity Ambulatory Hospital (UGECAM) that provided their generous support.

Funding

This research has been funded through the 2018 award of the French Nutrition Society (SFN) and the support of the UGECAM Nutrition Obesity center.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of the Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions (AME2P), EA 3533, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Alicia Fillon, Maud Miguet & David Thivel

  2. UGECAM Nutrition Obesity Ambulatory Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Alicia Fillon & Julie Masurier

  3. Biostatistics unit (DRCI), Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Bruno Pereira

  4. School of kinesiology and physical activity sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

    Marie-Eve Mathieu

  5. Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada

    Vicky Drapeau & Angelo Tremblay

  6. CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Yves Boirie & David Thivel

  7. INRA, UMR 1019, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Yves Boirie

  8. Department of Human Nutrition, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, G. Montpied Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Yves Boirie

  9. University Clermont Auvergne, UFR Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Yves Boirie

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  1. Alicia Fillon
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Correspondence to Alicia Fillon.

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Fillon, A., Masurier, J., Pereira, B. et al. Usefulness of the satiety quotient in a clinical pediatric obesity context. Eur J Clin Nutr 74, 930–937 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-019-0540-8

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