Influence of the Constancy of Daily Meal Pattern on Energy Balance, Glucose Profiles an Appetite in Healthy Women

In this study we will compare the health effect of two different meal patterns. In one subjects will consume food according to an 'irregular meal pattern' (3-9 meals/day) and the other 'regular meal pattern' (6 meals/day) for two weeks. The energy requirement of the subjects will be calculated to maintain body weight during the study. Participants will be provided with all the food to be consumed during the study. Initially, subjects will attend a screening visit in which they will complete questionnaires on medical health, eating habits and physical activity. Height, weight and waist circumference will be measured at this visit. Thereafter, subjects will be assigned to a 2-wk period following one of the two meal-patterns. There will be a 2-week period between the two interventions when subjects will consume their normal diet and at the end of this, participants will undertake the next meal pattern. During the two phases participants will be asked to wear an armband, which detects movement and measures heat loss, to assess their energy expenditure and a blood glucose monitoring device will be worn for three days. Before and after each 2-week intervention, subjects will come to the lab and will be given a test drink and blood samples will be obtained to evaluate the health effects of the meal patterns. Energy expenditure will be measured by indirect calorimetry. They will then be offered an ad-libitum meal and be asked to eat until they feel comfortably full. During each of the 2-week periods, participants will be asked to record their food intake and record their appetite sensations on specific days.