(P25-038-25) Does Peanut Consumption Affect Energy Intake, Body Weight or Body Fat? Findings From a 3-Month Feeding Trial

Objectives: Our primary objective was to investigate whether daily peanut consumption affects body weight in free-living adults. Secondary objective was to assess changes in total and localized body fat mass associated with daily peanut consumption.

Methods: Our study was a parallel, randomized controlled dietary intervention trial for 12 weeks that included healthy adults between 18 and 70 years of age. Participants in the intervention arm were asked to consume 2 oz of peanuts per day (~332 kcal/day), whereas participants in the control arm were asked to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle and to avoid peanuts and limit other nut intake to < 1 oz/week. Intolerance or allergy to peanuts, regular intake of peanuts and/or other nuts ( >3 ounces/week), uncontrolled chronic diseases or morbid obesity were exclusion criteria. Dietary consumption was assessed pre- and post-intervention with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Adherence to peanut intervention was assessed by the number of returned peanut containers and clinician interviews at monthly visits.

Results: All 80 participants (20 males and 60 females) enrolled completed the study. The median age was 41.7 years. Total caloric intake did not differ between groups (Δ 50 kcal; p=0.77) despite the additional energy intake from peanuts in the intervention arm. Compared with baseline, both groups experienced decreases in body weight, BMI, and body fat over the course of the study, and the differences between groups for weight (Δ 0.31 kg; p=0.48), total body fat mass (Δ 0.26 kg; p=0.49), and BMI (Δ 0.11 kg/m2; p=0.48) were not statistically significant. A sub-analysis of the total body fat mass, including body fat mass of right arm (p=0.55), left arm (p=0.63), right leg (p=0.25), left leg (p=0.25), trunk (p=0.64), and visceral fat (p=0.74) also yielded no significant changes between groups.

Conclusions: Among free-living adults, a large intake of peanuts daily for 3 months had no significant effects on body weight, body fat mass, or body mass index. These could be explained by the similar energy intake among both groups even with the incorporation of peanuts. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms by which peanuts may affect satiety, appetite, and food displacement.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by The Peanut Institute.