Authors: Katelynn Hales, Katya Hulse, Spencer Hawes
Mentors: Bruce Bailey Jr.
Insitution: Brigham Young University
There is relatively little research examining the effect of intermittent fasting on hunger and appetite. The existing literature suggests a complex interaction between hormonal signals, subjective hunger, and actual eating behavior. Development of effective and sustainable protocols rests on understanding these relationships. Dietary protocols that involve continuous energy restriction have been shown to increase appetite. As intermittent energy restriction results from fasting protocols, there is reason to suspect that fasting may similarly impact hunger and eating behavior. However, some research suggests that ketogenic or very low energy diets may decrease hunger, making it unclear what the effects of fasting may be. Levels of ghrelin, the primary hunger hormone, typically increase over the course of a fast, whereas satiety hormones, like leptin, decrease. However, these hormonal changes do not always align with ratings of subjective hunger. There is some evidence that the post-fast meal may play a role in hunger and appetite. Different macronutrients have been shown to impact hormones, hunger, and satiety differently. Our study aims to determine how ending a fast with a high or low carb shake will influence hunger and satiety hormones and subjective hunger.