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Does dieting make you insensitive to satiety?

The current research underscores the intricate relationship between dieting and

satiety, with notable evidence suggesting potential alterations in satiety sensitivity resulting

from prolonged caloric restriction. A study conducted by Sumithran et al., (2011)

demonstrated that individuals undergoing weight loss through dieting exhibited an increase in

circulating levels of ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger, and a reduction in peptide

YY, an appetite-suppressing hormone. This hormonal dysregulation was correlated with

heightened perceptions of hunger and diminished feelings of fullness, shedding light on the

physiological consequences of diet-induced weight loss (Sumithran et al., 2011).

Furthermore, a meta-analysis emphasized the variability in satiety responses observed across

different dieting methodologies (Blundell et al., 2005). The study highlighted the need for an

investigation into the specific impacts of various dietary approaches on satiety sensitivity.

Additional research focusing on acute dietary protein intake, did not delve into the potential

long-term effects of sustained caloric restriction on satiety (Leidy et al., 2010). Recent

advancements in the field, introduced the concept of "adaptive thermogenesis," suggesting

that the body may adapt to prolonged caloric restriction by reducing energy expenditure

(Most & Redman, 2020). This introduces a layer of complexity to the relationship between

dieting and satiety, underscoring the dynamic nature of physiological responses to prolonged

dietary interventions. Given these insights, it becomes evident that while existing research

provides valuable contributions, critical gaps remain in the literature. Therefore, the

following research aims to build upon these findings by conducting a series of detailed

experiments that examine the intricacies of dieting effects on satiety, addressing current

limitations in the literature and contributing to a more comprehensive and holistic

understanding of this complex interplay.

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The first question investigated by the following research regards how a moderate

caloric restriction diet affects satiety sensitivity compared to a non-dieting control group.

This question forms the core of the investigation by establishing the immediate impact of a

specific dietary intervention on individuals’ satiety sensitivity. Secondly, the subsequent

study aims to find whether changes in ghrelin and leptin levels are associated with alteration

in satiety perception following a dieting intervention. By exploring this question the research

gains valuable insight into the underlying hormonal mechanisms that may accompany

alterations in satiety responsiveness during and after a dieting intervention. Finally, the

research examines whether the type of dieting method (e.g., intermittent fasting vs.

continuous caloric restriction) influences long-term satiety sensitivity. This question

addresses the potential divergent effects of different dieting methods on long-term satiety

sensitivity.

The first experiment consists of 120 participants which will be recruited via

opportunity sampling and randomly assigned to either a dieting group (n=60) or a non-dieting

control group (n=60). It will be a randomized controlled trial with a 2x2 design. Baseline

assessments, conducted over a one-week period, will include measurements of satiety

sensitivity using validated scales such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), (marking levels of

satiety on a continuum, providing a subjective rating of feelings of fulness), and the Satiety

Labelled Intensity Magnitude (SLIM) Scale, (rating the intensity of sensations related to

satiety using a labelled intensity scale), (Flint et al., 2000; Cardello et al., 2005). Baseline

assessments will also include hormonal markers (ghrelin and leptin) through blood samples,

and neural responses using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The moderate-

caloric restrictive diet will be upheld for six weeks. The dieting group will be carefully
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designed by a registered dietitian to ensure a 500-calorie daily deficit. Participants' dietary

compliance will be closely monitored through regular check-ins and food diaries to ensure no

one is at risk of suffering major health consequences. Post-intervention assessments,

spanning another week, will revaluate satiety sensitivity (using both the VAS and SLIM),

hormonal profiles, and neural responses. Statistical analyses, including paired t-tests and

regression analyses, will be conducted to identify significant changes within and between

groups.

For the second experiment, a distinct group of 80 participants will be enrolled via

opportunity sampling. The experiment will be an intervention study (pre-post design) with a

2x2 design. Baseline assessments, conducted over two weeks, will encompass measurements

of satiety sensitivity, (levels of insulin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1

(GLP-1)), ghrelin, leptin, and other relevant hormonal markers using blood samples. A

hormonal intervention will involve administering controlled doses of ghrelin and leptin to

manipulate hormonal levels in a subset of 40 participants. This intervention will be carried

out over a two-week period, with careful monitoring of participants' responses. Satiety

assessments, using the same validated scales as in Experiment 1, will evaluate changes in

satiety sensitivity following the hormonal interventions. By integrating the hormonal data

with subjective satiety ratings, the study aims to elucidate the interplay between hormonal

changes and perceived satiety. Robust statistical methods, including ANOVA and correlation

analyses, will be employed to highlight the relationship between hormonal changes and

alterations in satiety perception.

In the third and final experiment, a total of 150 participants (gathered via opportunity

sampling), will be divided into three groups: intermittent fasting (n=50), continuous caloric
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restriction (n=50), and a non-dieting control group (n=50). The experiment will be a

comparative study (between groups design), with a 2x2 design. Baseline assessments,

conducted over two weeks, will measure satiety sensitivity, hormonal profiles, and neural

responses using the same procedures as in Experiment 1. Intermittent fasting and continuous

caloric restriction protocols will be implemented for six weeks within their respective groups,

with careful dietary planning and monitoring by a professional dietitian to alleviate any

negative health consequences. Post-intervention assessments, spanning another two weeks,

will revaluate satiety sensitivity and associated factors. A comparative analysis, utilizing

advanced statistical techniques such as ANCOVA and regression analyses, will discern

differences in outcomes between the two distinct dieting methods.

The research provides insights into how different aspects of dieting influence satiety

sensitivity and hormonal responses. Experiment 1 establishes a baseline effect, Experiment 2

delves into the hormonal mechanisms, and Experiment 3 provides a real-world comparison of

different dieting methods. Together, the studies offer a holistic understanding of dieting's

impact on satiety.

References

- Blundell, J. E., Stubbs, R. J., Golding, C., Croden, F., Alam, R., Whybrow, S., ... & Lawton, C.
L. (2005). Resistance and susceptibility to weight gain: individual variability in response to a
high-fat diet. Physiology & behavior, 86(5), 614-622.

- Cardello, A. V., Schutz, H. G., Lesher, L. L., & Merrill, E. (2005). Development and testing of a
labeled magnitude scale of perceived satiety. Appetite, 44(1), 1-13.

- Flint, A., Raben, A., Blundell, J. E., & Astrup, A. (2000). Reproducibility, power and validity of
visual analogue scales in assessment of appetite sensations in single test meal
studies. International journal of obesity, 24(1), 38-48.

- Leidy, H. J., Apolzan, J. W., Mattes, R. D., & Campbell, W. W. (2010). Food form and portion
size affect postprandial appetite sensations and hormonal responses in healthy, nonobese,
older adults. Obesity, 18(2), 293-299.
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- Most, J., & Redman, L. M. (2020). Impact of calorie restriction on energy metabolism in
humans. Experimental gerontology, 133, 110875.

- Sumithran, P., Prendergast, L. A., Delbridge, E., Purcell, K., Shulkes, A., Kriketos, A., &
Proietto, J. (2011). Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. New
England Journal of Medicine, 365(17), 1597-1604.