THE EFFECT OF HABITUAL SNACKING ON DIET-INDUCED THERMOGENSIS IN YOUNG WOMEN

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of habitual snacking on the diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) in non-obese young women. Thirteen women aged 1823 yrs old were divided into two groups group one was of six women who consumed snacks; candy, cookies, chocolate, etc., “very frequently” between meals almost everyday, group two was of seven women who seldom consumed snacks. The BMI of both groups were matched (19.7±1.0kg/m²) . The DIT was measured 5 h after ingestion of a meal (2220 kJ=531 kcal) using the Douglas bag technique. Each subject had their DIT measured on eight occasions to obtain average DIT values because DIT had large intra-individual variability. Indeed, each subject's DIT values were markedly different (the mean intra-individual CV=39.6%) . There was no significant difference between the two groups in percentage of body fat, resting metabolic rate (RMR), or RMR/body weight. The mean value of DIT (± SD) of group one (6.4±1.2%) was lower than that of group two (7.8±0.9%) (p<0.05) . Also, the main effects of the groups and the time after ingesting the test meal on postprandial energy expenditure were significant (two-way ANOVA; p<0.001), but the interaction between the group and the time after ingesting the test meal was not significant. In conclusion, eating habits with habitual snacking blunt DIT in young women.