A new study published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition has revealed there is no link between how hungry we feel and the amount of calories we consume.

The study, led by University of Sheffield researcher Bernard Corfe, shows that food marketed as having appetite-modifying properties does not alter our calorie intake.

The findings highlight a problem with health claims made by the food industry and the way in which many products are advertised – especially those aimed at people trying to lose weight.

Dr. Corfe and his colleagues from the Universities of Sheffield and Central Lancashire analyzed 462 scientific studies and found appetite ratings failed to correspond with energy intake in 51.3% of the total studies.

“The food industry is littered with products which are marketed on the basis of their appetite-modifying properties,” Dr. Corfe said.

“Whilst these claims may be true, they shouldn’t be extended to imply that energy intake will be reduced as a result.”

“For example, you could eat a meal which claims to satisfy your appetite and keep you feeling full-up for a long period of time but nonetheless go on to consume a large amount of calories later on.”

Only 6% of the studies tested a direct statistical comparison between energy intake and appetite, possibly suggesting that researchers had avoided reporting this finding. Of the 6% only around half could find a link, further emphasizing how tenuous the relationship is.

The researchers suggest that more research is needed to examine other factors governing actual food intake include sensorial environment, social factors, entrained behavior relating to food timing, along with our innate physical regulation of intake.

“This will be important to understand how obesity occurs, how to prevent it, and how we need to work in partnership with the food industry to develop improved tests for foods that are genuinely and effectively able to satisfy appetite,” Dr. Corfe said.

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Guy M. Holt et al. Systematic Literature Review Shows That Appetite Rating Does Not Predict Energy Intake. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, published online October 13, 2016; doi: 10.1080/10408398.2016.1246414

This article is based on a press-release issued by the University of Sheffield.