Daily Protein Intake Patterns on Energy Metabolism and the Motivation to Snack

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if when one eats protein can change how the body uses food for energy. Researchers will also test if eating a high protein breakfast can change one's craving for snack foods.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to determine if consuming 30 g of high-quality protein at each meal can increase fat utilization and shift between-meal snack choices. While the benefits of high-protein diets are well known, little is known about the optimal amount of protein that should be eaten at each meal. Most Americans eat little protein at breakfast and lunch and most of their protein at the evening meal. Current guidelines for protein are based on body weight; however, recent evidence indicates that absolute amounts of protein at each meal are needed to maintain metabolically active fat-free mass. This suggests that a more even protein consumption pattern across daily meals may positively influence energy metabolism. In addition, recent evidence indicates that protein may reduce activity in the food reward areas of the brain. This suggests that protein may influence between-meal snacking by decreasing the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of highly rewarding snack foods. The RRV of a food is an empirical measure of its motivating value and energy-dense foods are highly reinforcing, especially for obese individuals. This study will be the first to investigate the role of the daily distribution of protein intake on energy metabolism and modifying snacking behavior.

Official Title
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Daily Protein Intake Patterns on Energy Metabolism and the Motivation to Snack

Conditions
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Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Even protein
* Other: Skewed protein


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: BMI < 25 kg/m2 BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 but < 34.5 kg/m2 able to understand and sign the informed consent able to provide own transportation to the Center free of any major illness/disease usual protein intake within the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (10 to 30%) constant habitual activity patterns within the last 3 months females of childbearing age must be on birth control for a minimum of 3 months prior to study start and have regular menstrual cycles Exclusion Criteria: unable or unwilling to consume animal products have had more than a 10% change in body weight within the past 2 months are participating in a weight loss diet/exercise program are consuming a specialized diet currently or planning on becoming pregnant during the study timeline lactating have a metabolic illness/disease have uncontrolled hypertension have ever had cancer have an infectious disease suffer from alcohol or drug abuse use tobacco and e-cigarette products on a regular basis have the presence of acute illness taking medications known to affect energy expenditure and appetite

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Even protein<br>Menu to provide 90 g of protein per day in an even distribution of 30 g at each meal. | Other: Even protein<br>* 5 day intake of even protein 3 day rotating menu.<br>|
| Experimental: Skewed protein<br>Menu to provide 90 g of protein per day in a skewed distribution of 10 g at breakfast, 15 g at lunch and 65 g at dinner. | Other: Skewed protein<br>* 5 day intake of skewed protein 3 day rotating menu.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fat, carbohydrate, and protein utilization | The effect of consuming two patterns of daily protein intake on the use of fat, carbohydrate and protein for energy. | 4 hours after meal consumption | 
| Relative reinforcing value (RRV) of energy-dense snack foods | The effect of consuming a high-protein or a low-protein breakfast on the RRV of energy-dense snack foods to a healthy snack food alternative. | 2 hours after breakfast consumption | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Peripheral neurotransmitter metabolites | The effect of consuming a high-protein or low-protein breakfast and an energy-dense snack food on dopamine and serotonin metabolite plasma concentrations. | 2 hours | 
| Psychoactive Effect Questionnaire | The effect of consuming a high-protein or low-protein breakfast and an energy-dense snack food on the number of positive responses on the Psychoactive Effects Questionnaire. | 2 hours | 
| Satiety visual analog scales | The effect of consuming two patterns of daily protein intake on subjective measures of satiety. | 4 hours after meal consumption |