Effect of Energy Restriction on Eating Behavior Traits and Psychobehavioral Factors in the Low Satiety Phenotype

Abstract

Studies have shown that individuals with low satiety efficiency may be more susceptible to weight gain, but little is known about the effect of weight loss intervention outcomes in these individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an energy-restricted weight loss intervention on eating behavior traits and psychobehavioral factors in individuals differing in their satiety responsiveness. A pooled cohort of individuals who were overweight or obese (n = 100; aged 39 ± 9 years) participating in a 12- to 15-week weight loss program targeting an energy deficit of 500⁻700 kcal/day were included in this study. Satiety responsiveness was determined by a median split of the mean satiety quotient based on appetite sensations measured in response to a test meal at baseline (low satiety responsiveness (LSR) vs. high satiety responsiveness (HSR)). Anthropometric variables, eating behavior traits, psychobehavioral factors, and ad libitum energy intake were assessed before and after the intervention. Although similar weight loss was observed between the LSR and HSR groups (-3.5 ± 3.2 vs. ⁻3.8 ± 2.8 kg, p = 0.64) in response to an energy-restricted weight loss intervention, changes in eating behavior traits were different between groups. Individuals with LSR had a higher increase in cognitive restraint (+5.5 ± 4.1 vs. +3.5 ± 3.5, p = 0.02) and some of its subscales and a lower decrease in situational susceptibility to disinhibition (-0.6 ± 1.1 vs. -1.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.02) in response to the intervention compared to the HSR group. In conclusion, energy-restricted weight loss intervention seems to trigger undesirable changes in some eating behavior traits in individuals more vulnerable to overeating, which could increase their susceptibility to weight regain.

Keywords: eating behaviors; energy restriction; psychobehavioral factors; satiety responsiveness.

Figure 1

Changes in eating behavior traits in response to the weight loss intervention in the LSR group compared to the HSR group. LSR: Low satiety responsiveness, HSR: high satiety responsiveness (n = 88 to 98). p values indicate a group by time interaction for changes in eating behavior traits in response to the intervention.

Figure 2

Measured energy intake at the ad libitum buffet-type meal in LSR and HSR groups at baseline (pre) and after the weight loss intervention (post). LSR: Low satiety responsiveness (pre n = 50; post n = 49), HSR: high satiety responsiveness (pre n = 49; post n = 49) (total n = 98 to 99). p values indicate group differences in energy intake as per general linear models (GLM) adjusted for sex and BMI at the related measurement time point. GLM for group difference in post-intervention energy intake was further adjusted for weight loss duration and prescribed energy restriction.