Educational Messaging at Breakfast, Not Protein Source, Influences Appetite Response, Food Preferences, and Food Intake in Men and Women

Abstract

Early adulthood is a vulnerable time for weight gain. A primary contributor to weight gain and obesity is an increase in unhealthy eating habits, such as skipping breakfast, which has been strongly associated with overeating, weight gain, and obesity. Studies have shown that breakfasts high in protein enhance feelings of fullness compared a carbohydrate‐based breakfast. However, very few studies have examined the effect of protein quality at breakfast on postprandial appetite response, food preference and food intake, and, to our knowledge, no data exists regarding educational messaging at breakfast and subsequent food intake. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to 1) determine if protein source at breakfast impacts appetite response, food preference and food intake, and 2) determine if educational messaging presented at breakfast impacts appetite response, food preference and food intake. This was a randomized, crossover study in which each participant received two different breakfasts (plant protein‐based and animal protein‐based) with a minimum one‐week washout period between breakfasts. Each participant was randomly assigned to either the educational messaging (EM; n=17; 13 females, 4 males; 24 ± 1 y) or non‐messaging (NM; 9 females, 6 males; 23 ± 1 y) group. Each test breakfast was 280 kcal, 59% protein, 27% carbohydrate, and 14% fat. At the beginning of each breakfast, participants in the EM group received 5 messages about dietary protein, which they read and kept visible during the 3‐hour testing period. Participants had 7 minutes to consume the breakfast and appetite was assessed for the following 120 min. At 120 min, participants were presented with a variety of healthy or unhealthy snacks and advised to eat as much or as little as they desired. The snacking period lasted 60 min. Data was analyzed using two‐way, repeated measures ANOVA, P<0.05 was considered significant. Participants preferred (P<0.05) the animal protein‐ versus plant protein‐based breakfast. There was no difference in protein source or EM or NM in appetite response. Protein source did not influence snack intake. However, participants in the NM group consumed more snacks and more unhealthy snacks compared to participants in the EM group (P<0.05). These data suggest that educational nutritional messaging at breakfast can reduce snack intake and encourage healthy snack choices later in the day.Support or Funding InformationArkansas Biosciences Institute. University of Arkansas Honors College Grant.