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08-09-2007, 12:03 PM
Diet food 'may fuel obesity risk'
Diet foods for children may inadvertently lead to overeating and obesity* say researchers.
In tests on young rats* animals given low-calorie versions of foods were induced to overeat* whether they were lean or obese.
The researchers believe low-calorie versions of usually high-calorie foods disrupt the body's ability to use taste to regulate calorific intake.
The University of Alberta study appears in the journal Obesity.
Diet foods are probably not a good idea for growing youngsters
Dr David Pierce
University of Alberta
Lead researcher Professor David Pierce said: "Based on what we've learned* it is better for children to eat healthy* well-balanced diets with sufficient calories for their daily activities rather than low-calorie snacks or meals."
The researchers found that young rats given low-calorie foods began to overeat during their regular meals.
However* older* adolescent rats also fed diet foods did not show the same tendency to overeat.
http://file///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/6933686.stm_files/_44042613_creamcake203spl.jpgTaste cues
The researchers believe the older rats did not overeat because they* unlike the younger rats* were able to rely on a variety of taste-related cues to correctly assess the energy value of their food.
In contrast the younger animals learned to match tastes usually associated with food high in calories with low-fat alternatives* and so carried on eating to try to get their calorie count up when in fact it had already reached a healthy level
Diet foods for children may inadvertently lead to overeating and obesity* say researchers.
In tests on young rats* animals given low-calorie versions of foods were induced to overeat* whether they were lean or obese.
The researchers believe low-calorie versions of usually high-calorie foods disrupt the body's ability to use taste to regulate calorific intake.
The University of Alberta study appears in the journal Obesity.
Diet foods are probably not a good idea for growing youngsters
Dr David Pierce
University of Alberta
Lead researcher Professor David Pierce said: "Based on what we've learned* it is better for children to eat healthy* well-balanced diets with sufficient calories for their daily activities rather than low-calorie snacks or meals."
The researchers found that young rats given low-calorie foods began to overeat during their regular meals.
However* older* adolescent rats also fed diet foods did not show the same tendency to overeat.
http://file///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/6933686.stm_files/_44042613_creamcake203spl.jpgTaste cues
The researchers believe the older rats did not overeat because they* unlike the younger rats* were able to rely on a variety of taste-related cues to correctly assess the energy value of their food.
In contrast the younger animals learned to match tastes usually associated with food high in calories with low-fat alternatives* and so carried on eating to try to get their calorie count up when in fact it had already reached a healthy level