Increased protein intake and meal frequency reduces abdominal fat during energy balance and energy deficit. (23rd May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arciero, Paul J.; Ormsbee, Michael J.; Gentile, Christopher L.; Nindl, Bradley C.; Brestoff, Jonathan R.; Ruby, Maxwell
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 21:Number 7(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1357
• Page End: 1366
• Publication Date: 2013-05-23
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.20296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="oby20296-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Unrefined, complex carbohydrates and lean protein diets are used to combat obesity, although it's unknown whether more frequent meals may improve this response. The effects of consuming traditional (∼15%) versus higher (∼35%) protein intakes as three or six meals/day on abdominal fat, postprandial thermogenesis (TEM), and cardiometabolic biomarkers in overweight individuals during 28 days of energy balance (BAL) and deficit (NEG), respectively were compared.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20296-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Methods</title> <p>Overweight individuals (<italic>n</italic> = 30) were randomized into three groups: two high‐protein groups (35% of energy) consumed as three (HP3) or six (HP6) meals/day and one group consumed three meals/day of a traditional intake (TD3). Following a 5‐day baseline control (CON), subjects consumed their respective diets throughout a 56‐day intervention consisting of two, 28 day phases: a BAL followed by a NEG phase (75% of energy needs). Total body fat (BF) and abdominal BF (ABF), body weight (BW), TEM, and fasting biomarkers were assessed at the end of CON, BAL, and NEG phases.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20296-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>BW remained stable throughout CON and BAL in all groups, whereas BF (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001) and ABF (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01) decreased in HP groups and lean body mass (LBM) and leptin increased in HP6. Following NEG, BW decreased in all groups. BF, ABF, and leptin decreased in HP groups; LBM remained higher (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05), and TEM was highest in HP6 (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20296-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Consuming increased protein (∼35%) more frequently (6×) throughout the day decreases BF and ABF, increases LBM and TEM, and favorably affects adipokines more than current recommendations for macronutrients consumed over three meals/day in overweight individuals during both BAL and NEG.</p> </sec> </abstract>