Little intervention research has been conducted to examine the influence of eating frequency (EF) on weight loss. It has been hypothesized an increased EF improves appetite control, assisting with better regulation of energy intake, thus decreasing body mass index. Unfortunately, outcomes have not shown greater appetite control with increased EF. Instead, trends favor a lower EF reducing energy intake thereby producing greater weight loss than a higher eating frequency. Thus, a lower eating frequency may lower energy intake via behavioral mechanisms. At thit time no research has examined the behavioral mechanisms that may mediate the relationship between a lower eating frequency and superior adherence to an energy-restricted diet.
The purpose of this study is to address the gap in knowledge regarding the relationship between eating frequency and weight loss.