Meal Frequency and Body Composition in Obese Adults Presenting for a Weight-Loss Program: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Meal frequency takes a large focus when people enter a weight-loss program. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to compare fat percentage and muscle percentage across three self-reported meal-frequency patterns, including small frequent meals (SFM), three regular meals (3RM), and three large meals (3LM), in adults with obesity enrolled in a weight-loss program at Louis Pasteur Hospital between November 2022 and June 2024. We hypothesized that meal frequency would not be associated with differences in body-composition outcomes after adjustment for age and sex. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 320 patients with obesity presenting to a program for weight loss. Body mass composition was obtained, and fat and muscle percentages were calculated. Differences were compared based on meal frequency using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) while adjusting for age and sex. Results: A total of 320 patients were included, with meal frequency distributed as SFM (n = 153), 3RM (n = 95), and 3LM (n = 70). The mean fat percentage was 47.1, 46.3, and 46.1 (p = 0.586) for SFM, 3RM, and 3LM, respectively. The mean muscle percentage was calculated as 49.4, 51, and 51.1 (p = 0.142) for SFM, 3RM, and 3LM, respectively. Conclusion: Eating pattern is not associated with altered body mass composition in patients presenting for weight loss.