Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Nibbling versus feasting: which meal pattern is better for heart disease prevention?

Full Abstract

Dietary interventions that limit saturated fat, cholesterol, and energy are generally implemented as the first line of therapy to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Another form of diet therapy that may be effective in protecting against CHD is altering meal frequency without limiting energy. Meal-frequency regimens are classified into two major forms: 1) feasting, i.e., consuming all energy needs in one meal/day, and 2) nibbling, i.e., consuming all energy needs in three, six, nine, 12, or 17 regimented meals/day. Whether one meal pattern, feasting or nibbling, is more effective at improving indicators of CHD risk than the other, remains unresolved. Moreover, whether a dose-dependent relationship exists between biomarker improvement and the number of meals consumed per day also remains unknown. The objective of the present review was to determine which meal pattern, nibbling or feasting, is more effective at improving key indicators of CHD risk in normal-weight and obese, non-diabetic individuals.

Author information

Author/s: Bhutani, Surabhi (S); Varady, Krista A (KA);

Affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Nutrition reviews (Nutr Rev), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 67 (issue 10) : pp 591-8

Dates: Created 2009/09/29; Completed 2009/11/06;

PMID: 19785690, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living Apolipoprotein A-I - blood Apolipoproteins B - blood Biological Markers - blood Blood Pressure Clinical Trials as Topic Coronary Disease - diet therapy; prevention & control Cross-Over Studies

Cross-Over Studies Diet, Fat-Restricted Eating - physiology Female Humans Lipids - blood Male Obesity - diet therapy

Associated Chemicals: Apolipoprotein A-I (0) ; Apolipoproteins B (0) ; Biological Markers (0) ; Lipids (0)

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