Slowing eating rate appears to be an effective strategy for reducing food intake. This feasibility study investigated the effect of eating rate on post-meal responses using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), plasma gastrointestinal hormone concentrations, appetite ratings, memory for recent eating, and snack consumption. Twenty-one participants (mean age 23 years with healthy body mass index) were randomly assigned to consume a 600 kcal meal at either a “normal” or “slow” rate (6 vs. 24 min). Immediately afterwards, participants rated meal enjoyment and satisfaction. FMRI was performed 2-h post-meal during a memory task about the meal. Appetite, peptide YY, and ghrelin were measured at baseline and every 30 min for 3 h. Participants were given an ad-libitum snack three hours post-meal. Results were reported as effect sizes (Cohen’s d) due to the feasibility sample size. The normal rate group found the meal more enjoyable (effect size = 0.5) and satisfying (effect size = 0.6). Two hours post-meal, the slow rate group reported greater fullness (effect size = 0.7) and more accurate portion size memory (effect sizes = 0.4), with a linear relationship between time taken to make portion size decisions and the BOLD response in satiety and reward brain regions. Ghrelin suppression post-meal was greater in the slow rate group (effect size = 0.8). Three hours post-meal, the slow rate group consumed on average 25% less energy from snacks (effect size = 0.5). These data offer novel insights about mechanisms underlying how eating rate affects food intake and have implications for the design of effective weight-management interventions.

Gambian infants show growth faltering, but the underlying body composition is unknown. The present study aimed to compare body composition in Gambian and UK infants using 2 H dilution; and to evaluate accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and creatinine excretion for estimating lean mass (LM), using 2 H as the reference. Body composition was measured in thirty Gambian infants, aged 3 -18 months, using (1) anthropometry, (2) 2 H, (3) BIA (equation of Fjeld et al. Pediatr Res (1990), 27, 98 -102) and (4) 5 h urinary creatinine excretion. Compared with UK reference data, Gambian infants were light, short and had reduced BMI and skinfolds. The subscapular skinfold standard deviation score (SDS) was greater than the triceps SDS (P, 0·01), indicating central fat preservation. Both LM and fat mass were reduced in Gambian infants, with or without adjustment for length. However, whereas the Gambia -UK difference in LM increased with age, that in fat mass decreased. Average creatinine excretion was similar to that expected (95·5 (SD 23·2) % recovery), but LM estimates showed unacceptable error in individuals. BIA using Fjeld's equation overestimated total body water and LM (P,0·001), hence a new equation was developed, with standard error of 0·47 kg LM. In conclusion, Gambian infants characterised by growth faltering had LM deficits that increased with age. However, adiposity increased with age, and showed indications of a more central distribution than in the reference infants. A new BIA equation for LM prediction is presented; however, creatinine excretion is not recommended for LM estimation in this population.

No relationship was found between child abuse and adolescent obesity in this cohort. This challenges the assumption that adolescent obesity is linked to previous child abuse, as demonstrated for obesity in adult life. A further longitudinal study utilizing both parental and child reports with data record linkage, to improve reporting of abuse, and including neglect as an abuse category, would be desirable.