A hypothetical intervention of the timing of dietary intake on weight and body composition after initial weight loss

Abstract

Objective: This study estimated the effect of hypothetical interventions of higher and lower frequency of breakfast and post-dinner snack consumption (breakfast consumption 0-4 vs. 5-7 times/week and post-dinner snack consumption 0-2 vs. 3-7 times/week) on changes in body weight and composition over 18 months after a successful 6-month standard behavioral weight-loss program. Methods:The study analyzed data from the Innovative Approaches to Diet, Exercise and Activity (IDEA) study.Results: If all participants consumed a breakfast meal 5 to 7 times/week over 18 months, they would have regained 2.95 kg of body weight on average (95% CI: 2.01 to 3.96), which is 0.59 kg (95% CI: À0.86 to À0.32) lower than if all participants consumed breakfast 0 to 4 times/week. If all participants consumed a post-dinner snack 0 to 2 times/week, they would have regained 2.86 kg of body weight on average (95% CI: 0.99 to 5.25), which is 0.83 kg (95% CI: À1.06 to À0.59) lower than if all consumed a post-dinner snack 3 to 7 times/week.Conclusions: Regular breakfast consumption and minimizing post-dinner snacking may modestly mitigate weight and body fat regain over 18 months after initial weight loss.