Nutrition Communications

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Snacks are often blamed for contributing to weight gain, but there have been few controlled studies which have assessed the impact of different snacks on energy intakes and body weight.

 

A new 8-week study randomised 82 normal weight adults to one of four groups; (1) high energy dense (ED) snacks between meals; (2) high ED snacks with meals; (3) low ED snacks between meals; (4) low ED snacks with meals. The snacks were mandatory and provided 25% of energy requirements per day.

 

The results showed no significant differences in body weight, body composition, total daily energy intake or physical activity levels after eating the high or low ED snacks. Neither were there differences in these variables when the snacks were eaten with or between meals. The researchers concluded that healthy weight adults may be able to maintain a normal body weight, even after a considerable calorie intake from snacks, possibly by compensating by eating less at other times of the day. Research on how overweight people respond to different types of snacks is needed.

 

Similar results were reported by two earlier studies. Lawton et al (1998) found evidence of compensation when snacks, providing 25% of daily energy requirements, were eaten for 3 weeks. However, percentage energy from fat in the diet increased when high fat snacks were consumed and decreased when low fat snacks were consumed. Whybrow et al (2007) found partial compensation in a 2-week trial of snacks varying in ED. Habitual snackers compensated better than infrequent snackers. This study included both obese and mormal weight subjects.

 

For more information see: Viskaal-van Dongen M et al. (2009) International Journal of Obesity Vol 34: pg 319-26; Lawton CL et al. (1998) British Journal of Nutrition Vol 80: pg 149-61; and Whybrow S (2007) Obesity Vol 15: pg 673–685.