The impact of frequent meals on slimming, body composition and certain biochemical parameters among obese and overweight individuals

The number and frequency of meals in treatment of obesity has not been clearly defined, yet. This study has been conducted to examine the relationship between slimming with meal frequency and body composition and biochemical parameters. The study was conducted in the province of Çankırı with the participation of 87 overweight and obese individuals. The subjects were divided into three groups, with 3, 4 and 6 meals a day. The participants were given a three-month medical nutrition program under weight control and their body compositions (BMI replacement has been up to 4 meal groups 35±6.18 kg/m2 to 30.3±5.64 kg/m2) and biochemical parameters were compared as they were consuming the energy and nutrition elements suggested. At the end of the three months, while anthropometric measurements demonstrated a decline in all participants, the decrease in neck circumference thickness of those with only 3 and 6 meals a day was found to be significant (32.6±2.55cm, 33.1±2.57cm respectively) (p<0.05). The highest weight loss was observed among those who had 6 meals a day (%14.6±3.96) (p>0.05). A decrease in body compositions and a gradual increase in the percentage of body water were detected among the participants. The increase in HDL cholesterol measures in those with 6 meals a day was thought to be significant (from 50.7±11.91mg/dL to 56.1±20.48mg/dL) (p<0.05). While HOMA-IR measures declined in all groups, the decline in 6-meal group was more than those of other groups (from 3.0±5.85 to 2.1±4.39) (p<0.05). The daily energy, carbohydrate, animal protein, fat and cholesterol intake among all participants showed some decline while daily fiber food, vitamin K, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, iron, zinc and calcium consumption decreased. The medical nutrition treatment conducted on obese individuals resulted in weight loss across all groups and brought about positive changes in body composition and biochemical parameters. The practice of 6 meals a day proved to have a more positive impact on HOMA-IR and HDL cholesterol levels. Further clinical studies on this topic with different subjects are suggested. Key words: obesity, weight control, diet, biochemical parameters, meal frequency.