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

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis 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.MethodsThe study analyzed data from the Innovative Approaches to Diet, Exercise and Activity (IDEA) study.ResultsIf 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: −0.86 to −0.32) 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: −1.06 to −0.59) lower than if all consumed a post‐dinner snack 3 to 7 times/week.ConclusionsRegular breakfast consumption and minimizing post‐dinner snacking may modestly mitigate weight and body fat regain over 18 months after initial weight loss.