Energy intake and appetite are related to antral area in healthy young and older subjects.

BACKGROUND

Gastric distension reduces food intake, and antral, rather than proximal, gastric distension may be the dominant mechanism in the induction of appetite-related sensations. Healthy aging is associated with reduced appetite.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effects of different energy preloads on appetite, plasma cholecystokinin, antral area, and subsequent energy intake in healthy older and young subjects.

DESIGN

On 3 separate days, 12 young and 12 older subjects consumed 400 mL of a drink containing either 0 kcal (water), 250 kcal, or 750 kcal 70 min before a buffet-style meal.

RESULTS

Hunger was less in the older than in the young subjects (P < 0.001). Both nutrient preloads reduced hunger and increased fullness more than did water (P < 0.02), and older subjects were more full than were the young (P < 0.05). Antral area was greater after the nutrient preloads than after water (P = 0.001) and greater in the older than in the young subjects (P = 0.005). In both groups, food intake was suppressed in an energy-dependent manner (P = 0.008). Plasma cholecystokinin was greater in the older than in the young subjects (P = 0.003). Immediately before the meal, hunger (r = -0.59) and energy intake (r = -0.90) were inversely related and fullness (r = 0.66) was directly related to antral area (all: P < 0.001). Antral area, but not plasma cholecystokinin, was a predictor of subsequent energy intake.

CONCLUSION

In healthy young and older subjects, the suppression of subsequent energy intake by a liquid preload is nutrient dependent and comparable, and both satiation and satiety are related to antral area and (presumably) antral distension.