Effects of Energy and Physical Density Manipulation on Appetite

A historical challenge for military personnel operating in austere, remote environments is the ability to pack and carry enough food to sustain their operational and nutritional needs. To address this challenge and meet Army modernization requirements, US Army ration developers are developing a new ration to provide a lightweight, low volume, energy dense daily combat assault ration. The ration will use novel food processing techniques that remove air and water to reduce volume and increase physical density (g/cc) and will provide a high relative fat content to increase energy density (kcal/g or kcal/cc). As individuals tend to eat a constant weight or volume of food, manipulating physical and energy densities generally results in changes in energy intake without affecting subjective appetite sensations. However, relatively few studies have studied the independent effects on appetite and energy intake of increasing physical and energy densities of foods to the extent being targeted by the new ration, and none has directly studied the interaction between physical and energy density manipulation. This study will address that gap by determining the effects of foods that systematically vary in physical and energy density on ad libitum energy intake and subjective appetite ratings. Secondary outcomes will include gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue and acceptability. Using a randomized, crossover design consisting of four separate phases, 20 participants will be provided with a standard base diet and experimental foods in which physical and energy density are systematically varied using different levels of mechanical compression and aeration, and different proportions of fat and carbohydrate, respectively. Consumption of the experimental foods at each of the physical and energy density combinations will be compulsory for 1 day while intake of the standard diet will be ad libitum. Total energy and macronutrient intake will be measured by collecting uneaten food items. Additionally, perceived appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue and acceptability of the experimental food products will be measured by questionnaire.

Inclusion criteria

• Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 30.0 kg/m2
• Willing to abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to and during days 1-2 of each study phase.
• Willing to abstain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to and during days 1-2 of each study phase.
• Willing to abstain from a vegetarian/vegan diet or other highly restrictive diet (e.g., ketogenic diet, very high protein diet, Paleo diet) for two weeks prior to and throughout the study.
• Willing to maintain body weight throughout study.
• Willing to maintain usual diet (if not a restrictive diet), physical activity (aside from strenuous exercise limitation for 24 hours prior to and days 1-2 of each study phase) and nicotine use throughout study.
• Willing to abstain from dietary supplements (e.g., metabolism boosters, appetite suppressants, weight loss aids) impacting appetite or metabolism (as determined by study PI) throughout the study.
• Eats 3 meals per day at least 5 days/wk

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or lactating.
• Taking prescription medications, other than a contraceptive, known to affect appetite, digestion and/or metabolism (e.g., anti-diabetic agents) (unless approved by study PI)
• Any chronic medical condition that limits food intake or alters metabolism, appetite or digestive physiology (e.g., gastric bypass, gastrointestinal disease, dysphagia, diabetes).
• Allergies and intolerances (e.g. gluten, dairy, nuts), unwillingness or inability to eat provided foods and beverages.
• Score of ≥13 on the restraint scale or ≥9 on the disinhibition scale of the Eating Inventory
• Weight gain or loss of >5 lbs in the 2 weeks prior to study participation.
• Not willing or unable to adhere to all study procedures and restrictions.