Effect of Meal Frequency on Blood Glucose, Insulin, and Free Fatty Acids in NIDDM Subjects

Jette Bertelsen; Christian Christiansen; Claus Thomsen; Per L Poulsen; Svend Vestergaard; Alice Steinov; Lars H Rasmussen; Ole Rasmussen; Kjeld Hermansen

doi:10.2337/diacare.16.1.4

Original Articles

Effect of Meal Frequency on Blood Glucose, Insulin, and Free Fatty Acids in NIDDM Subjects

Jette Bertelsen, MD,
Christian Christiansen, MD,
Claus Thomsen, MD,
Per L Poulsen, MD,
Svend Vestergaard, MD,
Alice Steinov, MD,
Lars H Rasmussen, MD,
Ole Rasmussen, MD and
Kjeld Hermansen, MD

Medical Department, Horsens Hospital; Medical Department M (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Aarhus Kommunehospital; and Medical Department C (Endocrinology), Aarhus Amtssygehus Denmark

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Kjeld Hermansen, Medical Department C, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Tage-Hansensgade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

Diabetes Care 1993 Jan; 16(1): 4-7. https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.16.1.4

Abstract

Objective— We studied the effects of meal frequency on blood glucose, serum insulin, and FFAs in 12 NIDDM subjects.

Research Design and Methods— Subjects were assigned in random order to two 8-hr observation periods after an overnight fast. They received isocaloric diets with similar composition either as six small or as two large meals. At the end of each study period, an IVGTT was given.

Results— Two large meals induced an 84% greater maximum amplitude of glucose excursions than six small meals (6.1 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.5 mM, P < 0.005) and higher insulin responses (P < 0.03). The K_g response to an IVGTT did not differ in the two situations. The average FFA level was lowest in response to frequent meals (P < 0.02).

Conclusions— A higher meal frequency acutely subdues glucose excursions and reduces insulin and FFA levels during the daytime in older NIDDM subjects.