Meal distribution across the day and its relationship with body composition

Abstract

Evidence has suggested that meal distribution across the day may influence body composition. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of energy and macronutrient intake in healthy men and women, and to correlate it with body composition. Fifty-two healthy volunteers (24 men), aged 20–45 years old, participated in the study. Food intake was analyzed by a three-day food record and anthropometric measurements included body mass, height, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. Positive correlations were found in men between night fat intake and body mass index, body fat percentage and waist circumference and negative correlations were seen between morning energy and macronutrient intake and the same anthropometric variables. These data suggest that fat intake at night is associated with higher values in anthropometric variables while morning food intake can be associated with lower values in anthropometric variables.

Keywords:

• meal distribution
• body mass
• waist circumference
• obesity
• body fat

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all volunteers for their participation in the study, Jim Waterhouse, Hanna Karen Moreira Antunes, Everald Van Cooler, and Nadine Bressan for their support and assistance, and the support of Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Psicofarmacologia (AFIP), Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício (CEPE), Centro de Estudo Multidisciplinar em Sonolência e Acidentes (CEMSA), CEPID/SONO-FAPESP (#998/14303−3), CNPq (501567/2007-0), CAPES, FAPESP (2009/11056-1), UNIFESP, FADA, and FADA/UNIFESP.