Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

The effects of increasing water content to reduce the energy density of the diet on body mass changes following caloric restriction in domestic cats

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Kerry Cameron

Downloads


Abstract

Caloric restriction induces body mass loss that is often regained when restriction ends. This study aimed to determine if dietary energy density modulates the extent of post-restriction body mass regain. Water (20% wt:wt) was added to a standard dry commercially available feline diet. Twenty-seven domestic short-haired cats underwent a 20% caloric restriction on this diet. Following restriction, cats were offered the same dry diet ad libitum either without additional water or with 40% added water, therefore maintaining macronutrient composition whilst manipulating energy density. Despite no significant difference in energy intake during ad libitum consumption, post-restriction body mass regain was greater on the high energy dense (0% hydrated), compared to the low energy dense (40% hydrated) diet. The same protocol was repeated with a separate cohort of 19 cats with additional measures of physical activity, gut transit time and energy digestibility. Activity levels on the low energy dense diet were significantly higher than in cats on the high energy dense diet (p = 0.030) and were similar to those recorded during caloric restriction. These results suggest that body mass gain following caloric restriction is ameliorated, and physical activity enhanced, by feeding a diet which is low in energy density due to the addition of 40% water.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Cameron KM, Morris PJ, Hackett RM, Speakman JR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition

Year: 2011

Volume: 95

Issue: 3

Pages: 399–408

Print publication date: 28/12/2010

Date deposited: 21/01/2011

ISSN (print): 0931-2439

ISSN (electronic): 1439-0396

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Verlag GmbH

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01107.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01107.x

PubMed id: 21198957


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share