Age and experience predict accurate short-term energy compensation in adults

Many factors thought to influence the control of food intake have been investigated independently, but the relative importance of each of these factors remains unknown. This study investigated the concurrent role of 21 factors in accurate compensation for energy consumed 60 min previously. Energy compensation was assessed by measuring the difference in energy intake at an ad libitum test meal following two preloads of differing energy content, in 105 participants. Using regression, energy compensation was associated only with age (B = −2.39, β = −0.345, p < 0.01), and accuracy of energy compensation was associated only with age (B = 1.81, β = 0.376, p < 0.01) and order of preload presentation (B = −21.80, β = −0.233, p = 0.01). These findings suggest that our ability to detect and/or adjust for energy intake deteriorates with age, and that individuals adjust more easily for missing, as opposed to additional, energy. Notably however, only these predictors were associated with energy compensation and they account for only 11–18% of total variance.

► The importance of 21 factors in energy compensation over 1 hour was investigated.
► Energy compensation was highly variable and in general incomplete.
► Energy compensation was associated only with age.
► Accuracy of energy compensation was associated only with age and preload experience.
► No other factors tested here were independently associated.