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The Cortisol Response to a Buffet Meal Changes with Energy Restriction in Overweight Women
Author(s) -
Witbracht Megan Gage,
Thomas Anthony P.,
Souza Elaine,
Horn William F.,
Adams Sean H.,
Laugero Kevin,
Van Loan Marta D.,
Keim Nancy L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.343.3
Subject(s) - overweight , endocrinology , medicine , meal , weight loss , obesity , zoology , biology
Research has suggested that stress affects eating behavior. We examined the relationship between cortisol and food choice at a buffet meal before and in response to a 12‐wk intervention (I) with an energy‐restricted diet. Overweight females (ages 20–45; n=49) maintained body weight (BW) during a 3‐wk baseline (B) period and lost weight during energy‐restriction (500 kcal/d deficit). The eating behavior protocol was conducted at B wk 0 and I wk 11 and included the provision of a standardized breakfast & lunch followed by ad lib buffet dinner. Salivary cortisol was measured at 10 specific times on both test days. Percent BW and fat loss averaged 5.9% and 3.0%, respectively. Energy (kcal), carbohydrate (CHO), fat and protein (PRO) intake at the buffet averaged 1345kcal, 134g, 63g, 64g, and ranged from 420 to 2667kcal, 43 to 297g, 11 to 126g, and 21 to 126g, respectively. Energy and grams of CHO, fat or PRO intake did not differ between test days. Analysis of the cortisol data revealed a correlation between kcal and cortisol taken 30 min after the completion of the buffet meal (r= 0.470; p=0.001) but only at wk 11. Similarly, cortisol was correlated with intakes of CHO (r=0.512; p=0.001), fat (r=0.375; p=0.008) and PRO (r=0.325; p=0.023). These data suggest factors related to energy restriction may increase the sensitivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis to food intake. Funding: NDC/ARS Project 5306‐51530‐016‐00D