Rapid carbohydrate digestion rate produced lesser short-term satiety in obese preschool children

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether high carbohydrate meals with different carbohydrate digestion rates have an effect on the short-term satiety in normal and obese preschool children. Subjects and setting: In total, 48 children of both gender, 24 normal and 24 obese, according to body mass index, aged between 3 and 6 y, were selected from children who were attending to a day-care center where they consumed three meals in the day. Interventions: Rapid (potato-based meal) and lente (spaghetti-based meal) carbohydrate digestion rate meal were given at lunch, matching energy intake, carbohydrate, protein and fat levels, and then the preschool children's energy intake at the subsequent mealtime was observed. In this last mealtime, the children received varied types of high-acceptability foods in higher quantities than the normal serving. Results: At lunch, a significant higher energy intake, lesser satiation, was observed in both groups, normal-weight and obese children, when they consumed the potato-based meal. In the subsequent mealtime, a significant effect of carbohydrate digestion rate was demonstrated, but only in obese preschool children, being higher in the meal with rapid digestion rate carbohydrates. Conclusions: Rapid carbohydrate digestion rate meal produced a significative lesser satiation in normal-weight and obese children. However, only in obese children a significant lesser satiety was observed after consumption of the rapid carbohydrate digestion rate meal, indicating a decreased capacity of energy regulation in obese children. The finding of the present work could provide dietary strategies required for decreasing prevalence in overweight and obesity in preschool children.

Meal glycaemic load of normal-weight and overweight Hong Kong children

“…A study investigating the effects of dietary GI and glycaemic load on energy metabolism and voluntary food intake in obese children showed that high-GI meals elicit a sequence of hormonal changes that might limit the availability of metabolic fuels and cause overeating in children (Ludwig et al, 1999). An increase in postpandial satiety by consuming lower dietary GI has been reported in some related studies (Ball et al, 2003;Warren et al, 2003;Alvina and Araya, 2004), while another study reported an inverse relationship between appetite and postprandial blood glucose response (Anderson et al, 2002).…”

“…A crossover study has reported a lower lunch intake in a group of young children who consumed low-GI breakfast compared with those after high-GI breakfast (Warren et al, 2003). Ball et al (2003) demonstrated a prolongation of satiety following an intervention with a low-GI meal replacement, while Alvina and Araya (2004) observed significantly less satiety in obese children after consumption of a carbohydrate meal with a rapid digestion rate. Although some studies did not suggest an increase postprandial satiety by increasing dietary GI (Heini et al, 1998;Anderson et al, 2002), providing snacks with lower GI values probably cause no harm and possibly reduce the frequency of snacking due to hunger.…”

Energy balance and physical activity in obese children attending day-care centres

“…With respect to sweets' intake, recent results in similar children in Chile would suggest that a significant lesser satiety is observed after consumption of a high carbohydrate meal with a rapid digestion rate, indicating a decreased capacity of energy regulation in obese children (Alvina and Araya, 2004). It has also been suggested that a higher sugar intake decreases intake of fruit and beverages and was positively associated with BMI in 4-yearold Norwegian boys (Overby et al, 2004).…”

Glycaemic and satiating properties of potato products

“…In elderly subjects, mashed potatoes (high-GI food) induced significantly higher glycaemia and satiety compared with a barley meal (low-GI food) containing the same amount of available carbohydrates as measured during 120 min (Kaplan and Greenwood, 2002). In contrast, a lower satiety was observed in obese children after consumption of a rapidly digested carbohydrate meal (including potatoes) compared with a lente meal (including spaghetti; Alvina and Araya, 2004). In the latter study, no difference was found in normal weight children.…”