Effects of Dietary Fiber Intake before Meals on Weight Loss and Hunger in a Weight‐Reducing Club

Abstract

The effects of dietary fiber on subjective hunger ratings and weight losses were studied in 135 members of a weight loss club. After a run-in week, 100 members were randomly given 1 sachet of either bran or ispaghula granulate before meals for 2 wk. Controls (35) only rated hunger. Completing the trial were 108 members: 23 controls, 45 on ispaghula and 40 on bran. No change in hunger ratings was found in the controls. Both fiber preparations lowered hunger ratings during weeks 2 and 3 compared to the run-in week. Ratings were similarly reduced at all meals. The mean (.+-. SD) weight reductions during the trial were 4.6 .+-. 2.7 kg for the controls, 4.2 .+-. 3.2 kg for the ispaghula group and 4.6 .+-. 2.3 kg for the bran group (P > 0.05 for all). In spite of recent changes in the diet towards food rich in dietary fibers, addition of extra dietary fiber immediately before meals reduced hunger feelings but had no effect on weight reduction.