Effect of One Week of Fibre Supplementation on Hunger and Satiety Ratings and Energy Intake

• Published in: Appetite 1997-08, Vol.29 (1), p.77-87
• Main Authors: PASMAN, W.J., SARIS, W.H.M., WAUTERS, M.A.J., WESTERTERP-PLANTENGA, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Diet, Reducing; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Energy Intake - physiology; Female; Humans; Hunger - physiology; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Obesity; Obesity - therapy; Satiety Response - physiology
• ISSN: 0195-6663; 1095-8304
• DOI: 10.1006/appe.1997.0091

The effect of one week of supplementation with a water-soluble fibre (guar gum) was studied in obese women who had lost weight. In study 1 (N=17; mean±SEM: age 38·5±2·3 yrs; weight 86·8±2·3 kg; BMI 32·2±0·9 kg.m−2) energy intake and hunger and satiety scores were assessed under free-living conditions. In study 2 (N=14; age 44·5±1·8 yrs; weight 78·8±3·1 kg; BMI 29·0±0·9 kg.m−2) energy intake was fixed at 6 MJ.day−1(their normal energy intake at that time) or 4 MJ.day−1(low energy intake). In both studies, the effect of one week of fibre supplementation (40 g in study 1 and 20 g in study 2) was compared with no supplementation. In study 1, mean energy intake decreased significantly from 6·7±0·4 MJ to 5·4±0·2 MJ daily after fibre supplementation, while hunger and satiety scores did not change. At a low energy intake level of 4 MJ given in study 2, hunger scores were significantly decreased after fibre supplementation. No changes were seen in hunger and satiety scores during fibre supplementation at 6 MJ. The reduction in energy intake by soluble fibre under free living conditions and the hunger-reducing effect of fibre at the low energy intake level (4 MJ) suggests that fibre may be useful in the treatment of obesity, by facilitating compliance to low energy intake.