PI is retiring from Center. Research will not continue with a new PI.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dietary fat on satiety (the experience of fullness between one meal and the next) and energy metabolism over an extended period of time (chronic effects). How dietary fat sources affect satiety, appetite and energy use is unclear. The investigators will use a controlled setting for the studies. They want to know if the source of dietary fat alters satiety, satiety hormones, and energy expenditure responses after consuming different diets.

This work will address the interaction of obesity and dietary fatty acids in regulating satiety and energy metabolism. The primary objective is to determine the effects of chronic intake of dietary fatty acids of varied saturation and chain length on satiety, thermogenesis and energy utilization in healthy individuals. The investigators hypothesize that unsaturated fatty acids will 1) increase satiety and 2) increase energy metabolism and that 3) the fatty acid binding protein polymorphisms are associated with reduced energy expenditure in response to dietary fat intake.

Inclusion Criteria:

• body mass index between 25.0-34.9 kg/m2
• free of major diagnosed, untreated medical conditions
• non-smoking or use of other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes
• not taking steroid-based medications
• not planning to or currently attempting to gain or lose weight
• willing to comply with study demands
• low intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids (<0.10 g/d) or willing to reduce intake for 6 weeks prior to starting the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed eating disorders
• diabetes (blood sugar ≥ 126 mg/dl)
• hypertension (systolic > 160 mmHg or diastolic > 100 mmHg)
• diagnosed cardiovascular, pulmonary, skeletal and metabolic diseases
• currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or lactating
• taking medications known to affect appetite, blood lipids, body composition, body weight, or food intake (appetite control drugs, steroids, antidepressants)