Energy and Nutrient Timing for Weight Control: Does Timing of Ingestion Matter?

Megan A McCrory; Ayla C Shaw; Joy A Lee

doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.017

Energy and Nutrient Timing for Weight Control: Does Timing of Ingestion Matter?

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;45(3):689-718. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.017.

Authors

Megan A McCrory¹, Ayla C Shaw², Joy A Lee²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University, PO Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, USA. Electronic address: mmccrory@gsu.edu.
² Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University, PO Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995, USA.

PMID: 27519140
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.017

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, meal skipping and snacking in US adults have increased, and currently most eating occasions occur later in the day than previously. Whether these changes have played a causal role in the obesity epidemic is poorly understood. Observational studies are largely inconclusive due to methodological limitations. Experimental evidence does not support a causal role for eating frequency or breakfast skipping in weight control. Emerging evidence suggests that eating irregularity and eating later in the day may be detrimental for weight control, but more studies are needed. This article summarizes studies and highlights areas needing attention.

Keywords: Breakfast skipping; Eating frequency; Eating pattern; Irregular eating; Meal pattern; Meals; Reported energy intake plausibility; Snacks.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Eating
Energy Intake
Feeding Behavior*
Humans
Obesity / physiopathology*