Abstract
We evaluated the effectiveness of a meal control method, which we have developed for improving the diet of healthy individuals without loss of quality based on a food exchange list including confectionery and alcohol. To control the daily meals, 16 healthy women compared their total intake units and unit distribution with those instructed, using an intake unit record sheet, for eight weeks. Thirteen of the women (aged 39.2±7.2 years, mean±SD) completed the meal control. Taking the recommended amount of confectionery and alcohol, they followed the instructed intake of total energy during the meal control period. Their body weight was reduced from 54.9±6.7kg to 52.9±5.7kg, and their percentage body fat was reduced significantly (p<0.01) from 27.5±5.0% to 25.3±4.5%. No health problems occurred in the subjects. The nutrient density of protein, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C increased significantly (p<0.05). The questionnaire revealed that ten subjects found this meal control helpful for recognizing daily nutrient balance and that nine subjects had a favorable view about the method. The present findings suggest that a method combining meal control with eating pleasure is useful for diet control in healthy individuals. Sustained weight loss for six months after the end of the meal control period in ten subjects was presumably because the diet control method gave them an indication of appropriate food intake. We therefore suggest that this method may raise awareness of appropriate energy and food intake.
