Portion size effects on weight gain in a free living setting. (19th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: French, Simone A.; Mitchell, Nathan R.; Wolfson, Julian; Harnack, Lisa J.; Jeffery, Robert W.; Gerlach, Anne F.; Blundell, John E.; Pentel, Paul R.
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 22:Number 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 1400
• Page End: 1405
• Publication Date: 2014-02-19
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.20720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="oby20720-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Examine the effect of weekday exposure over 6 months to different lunch sizes on energy intake and body weight in a free‐living sample of working adults.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20720-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Adults (<italic>n</italic> = 233) were randomly assigned to one of three lunch size groups (400 kcal, 800 kcal, and 1, 600 kcal) or to a no‐free lunch control group for 6 months. Weight and energy intake were measured at baseline, and months 1, 3, and 6.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20720-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Lunch energy was significantly higher in the 800 and 1, 600 kcal groups compared with the 400 kcal group (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001). Total energy was significantly higher for the 1, 600 kcal group compared with the 400 and 800 kcal groups (<italic>P</italic> = 0.02). Body weight change at 6 months did not significantly differ at the 5% level by experimental group (1, 600 kcal group: +1.1 kg (SD = 0.44); 800 kcal group: −0.1 kg (SD = 0.42); 400 kcal group: −0.1 kg (SD = 0.43); control group: 1.1 (SD = 0.42); <italic>P</italic> = 0.07). Weight gain over time was significant in the 1, 600 kcal box lunch group (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20720-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Weekday exposure for 6 months to a 1, 600 kcal lunch caused significant increases in total energy intake and weight gain.</p> </sec> </abstract>