Could Regular Meal Times Reduce Obesity?

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Ir. Gerda Pot Universitair Docent Gezondheid en Leven| Assistant Professor Health and Life Faculteit Aard- en Levenswetenschappen | Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences

Dr. Gerda Pot

Dr. Ir. Gerda Pot PhD
Universitair Docent Gezondheid en Leven| Assistant Professor Health and Life
Faculteit Aard- en Levenswetenschappen | Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: I was inspired to start this work by my grandmother. She was a stickler for timekeeping of her meals and I wondered whether this was her secret for healthy aging.

It seems common wisdom but surprisingly very little scientific evidence exist. Therefore we conducted this review to see all the studies out there before setting out doing our own research.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? What should readers take away from your report?

Response: We should not only focus on what we eat but also when we eat. For example, consuming meals at regular times could be beneficial for our health. My research showed that people who had regular eating patterns had a lower risk of having obesity though they consumed more calories. However, more research is needed to answer this important question.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: We need more studies including detailed dietary information, like food diaries including the actual time of intake, in different populations, preferable prospective studies and/or randomized controlled intervention studies.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Proc Nutr Soc. 2016 Jun 22:1-12. [Epub ahead of print]
Meal irregularity and cardiometabolic consequences: results from observational and intervention studies.
Pot GK1, Almoosawi S2, Stephen AM3

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on June 24, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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