Influence of Meal Schedule: Gender Differences

Factors That Determine the Responses to Meal Ingestion: Meal Schedule and Gender Differences

Gender differences in the effect of meal schedule will be studied in a parallel design (10 women and 10 men). In two separate days a probe meal (290 stewed beans, 35 g bread, 100 mL water; 549 Kcal) will be administered in the afternoon, i.e. conventional schedule, and in the morning, i.e. unconventional schedule. The effect of meal schedule will be measured as the differences between the responses on both study days. Participants will be instructed to eat standard dinner the day before and to consume standard breakfast at home the day of the afternoon test. Studies will be conducted in a quiet, isolated room with participants siting on a chair. Perception will be measured at 5 min intervals 10 min before and 20 min after ingestion and at 10 min intervals up to 60 min after the probe meal.

Inclusion Criteria:

• non-obese

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of gastrointestinal symptoms
• prior obesity
• use of medications
• history of anosmia and ageusia
• current dieting
• alcohol abuse
• psychological disorders
• eating disorders