American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 11, 356-361, Copyright © 1962 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Nutritional Effects of Feeding Frequency

¹ From the Department of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, and the Department of Medicine, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois

Data contrasting the metabolic effects of full-spaced meals and of frequent feedings have been reviewed. The available results suggest that man may be benefited by increasing the periodicity of his food intake. The advantages that may accrue to man from this altered feeding schedule include (1) a decrease in protein requirements; (2) a decrease in susceptibility to "metabolic" diseases (obesity, atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus); and (3) an increase in the efficacy of therapy of "metabolic" diseases. In addition, animal breeders may also benefit both their livestock and man in general by feeding the animals at frequent intervals. Using such a technic, it may be anticipated that there will be (1) an increase in the animal's total body protein with the consumption of the same amount of grain; (2) a qualitative change in the marketed meat in the direction of decreased fat content; and (3) smaller quantities of animal fat provided to the meat-consuming public. The final and quantitative conclusions to these and other questions will require much more work but should prove a challenge to those interested in nutrition.