Effects of low-fat milk consumption at breakfast on satiety and short-term energy intake in 10- to 12-year-old obese boys

Sanaz Mehrabani, Seyyed Morteza Safavi, Sepideh Mehrabani, Mehdi Asemi, Awat Feizi, Nick Bellissimo, Amin Salehi-Abargouei

Although controversy exists, some researchers have proposed that dairy products increase the sense of satiety and decrease energy intake; however, data about these effects are lacking in children. Our objective was to assess the effect of low-fat milk compared with iso-volumic and iso-volumic/iso-energetic controls on satiety and energy intake at lunch in obese boys using a randomized three-way crossover controlled clinical trial. Thirty-four obese boys aged 10-12 years were randomized to consume a fixed content breakfast with low-fat milk (LFM), apple juice (AJ) or water (W) for two consecutive days. Subjective appetite, hunger, fullness, desire to eat and prospective food consumption were measured using a visual analogue scale every 1 h after breakfast followed by an ad libitum buffet lunch at 5 h. All participants completed the study. Energy intake was significantly lower after intake of LFM compared with AJ and W (adjusted mean ± standard error of energy intake: LFM = 1010 ± 14 kcal, AJ = 1059 ± 16 kcal, W = 1236 ± 20 kcal; P < 0.001). The total appetite score and its components were significantly affected by time for all intervention beverages (P < 0.05). Obese children reported higher satiety score after drinking LFM with breakfast compared with W and AJ (P < 0.05). Low-fat milk consumption might have favorable short-term effects on satiety and energy intake in obese boys. Future studies with more participants from both genders and longer follow-up periods are merited. The study protocol was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registration No: IRCT2013022312571N1).