Midnight Snacking Won't Affect Weight

Category: Diet and Nutrition

It's widely believed that nighttime snacking can lead to an increased tendency to gain weight. However, a recent study reports that a midnight snack won't affect weight any more than the same food eaten during the day.

The animal study, published in Obesity Research, investigated the effects of nighttime meals on 16 female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, administered a high fat diet to 16 female ovariectomized rhesus monkeys. The monkeys' ovaries were removed to mimic human menopause. Some of the monkeys ate up to 65 percent of their calories at night.

Researchers found that the sedentary monkeys had a significant increase in calorie intake and body weight within 6 weeks after their ovaries were removed. The sedentary monkeys had an even greater increase in calorie intake and body weight after being placed on the high fat diet. However, the very active monkeys did not gain weight.

Findings also revealed that the amount of calories consumed at night was not associated with body weight or weight gain. The monkeys with the most nighttime eating did not gain more weight than the monkeys with the least nighttime eating.

The study suggests that weight gain depends on calorie intake, not the time of day when the calories are consumed. "These results show that eating at night is not associated with an increased propensity to gain weight, suggesting that individuals trying to lose weight should not rely on decreasing evening calorie intake as a primary strategy for promoting weight loss," the study authors conclude.

REFERENCES:
1. Sullivan EL et al. Evidence in female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) that nighttime caloric intake is not associated with weight gain. Obes Res 2005 Dec;13(12):2072-80.

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 4, 2013 10:00 AM