Influence of Meal Frequency on Body Composition and Energy Utilization in Male Weanling Rats

Abstract

Summary

The influence of restricted meal frequency on body composition and energy utilization has been investigated in male weanling rats. Two groups of rats were fed equivalent amounts of a 24% casein diet at three different restricted levels of intake for 21 days. One group was fed one time per day (1800 hr) and the other four times per day (0600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 hr). There were no significant differences in the water, fat, or fat-free weights (g); and final body energy, lean energy, and fat energy between rats fed one time and four times per day. When ΔBE/W^0.75, ΔLE/W^0,75, and ΔFE/W^0.75 were regressed on GEI/W^0.75, there were no significant differences in the body, lean, and fat energy deposition coefficients between rats fed one and four times per day. In this study, meal frequency did not alter body composition, nor the efficiency with which feed was utilized above maintenance.