The incorporation of a protein‐rich breakfast on appetite sensations and subsequent food intake in “breakfast‐skipping” adolescents

Purpose To examine the impact of a protein‐rich breakfast (in solid vs. beverage form) on appetite and subsequent food intake in breakfast‐skipping adolescents. Methods: 15 healthy adolescents (age 14 ± 1 y; BMI 79 ± 4 %ile; breakfast 2 ± 1 occasions/wk) randomly consumed, on 4 separate days, a 500 kcal breakfast consisting of a normal protein meal (18 ± 1 g protein) in solid form (PN‐S), a protein‐rich meal (48 ± 2 g protein) in solid (PR‐S) or beverage (PR‐B) form, or no meal (NM). Pre and post‐meal appetite was measured over 5 h followed by an ad libitum lunch. Results PR‐S was the only meal to exhibit significant reductions in post‐meal hunger vs. NM (p<0.01). Post‐meal fullness was greater after each meal vs. NM (all comparisons; p<0.05) but not different between meals. All meals led to significant reductions in prospective food consumption vs. NM (all comparisons; p<0.05); PR‐S led to greater reductions vs. PN‐S (p=0.06). Fewer calories were consumed at lunch following the PR‐S (363 ± 51) vs. NM (490 ± 63; p< 0.01), PN‐S (504 ± 66; p<0.01), and PR‐B (464 ± 83 kcal; p=0.10). Conclusions The incorporation of a protein‐rich breakfast beneficially impacts appetite & subsequent food intake in breakfast‐skipping adolescents suggesting a potential role in the management of obesity. However, protein‐rich beverages may not elicit the same positive effects compared to solid versions. Support: M01 RR023940; SAH Research Award, KUMC