Energy intake and appetite are related to antral area in healthy young and older subjects

Abstract

Background: Gastric distension reduces food intake, and antral, rather than proximal, gastric distension may be the dominant mechanism in the induction of appetite-related sensations. Healthy aging is associated with reduced appetite.

Objective: We examined the effects of different energy preloads on appetite, plasma cholecystokinin, antral area, and subsequent energy intake in healthy older and young subjects.

Design: On 3 separate days, 12 young and 12 older subjects consumed 400 mL of a drink containing either 0 kcal (water), 250 kcal, or 750 kcal 70 min before a buffet-style meal.

Results: Hunger was less in the older than in the young subjects (P < 0.001). Both nutrient preloads reduced hunger and increased fullness more than did water (P < 0.02), and older subjects were more full than were the young (P < 0.05). Antral area was greater after the nutrient preloads than after water (P = 0.001) and greater in the older than in the young subjects (P = 0.005). In both groups, food intake was suppressed in an energy-dependent manner (P = 0.008). Plasma cholecystokinin was greater in the older than in the young subjects (P = 0.003). Immediately before the meal, hunger (r = -0.59) and energy intake (r = -0.90) were inversely related and fullness (r = 0.66) was directly related to antral area (all: P < 0.001). Antral area, but not plasma cholecystokinin, was a predictor of subsequent energy intake.

Conclusion: In healthy young and older subjects, the suppression of subsequent energy intake by a liquid preload is nutrient dependent and comparable, and both satiation and satiety are related to antral area and (presumably) antral distension.