886 Am J C/in Nuir 1987;46:886-92. Printed in USA. © 1987 American Society for Clinical Nutrition Dietary fat and the regulation of energy intake in human subjects1”3

ABSTRACT The role of dietary fat in the regulation of energy intake was assessed by manipulating a conventional diet and measuring spontaneous food consumption. Twenty-four women each consumed a sequence ofthree 2-wk dietary treatments in which 15-20%, 30-35%, or 45-50 % of the energy was derived from fat. These diets consisted of foods that were similar in appearance and palatability but differed in the amount of high-fat ingredients used. Relative to their energy consumption on the medium-fat diet, the subjects spontaneously consumed an 1 1.3 % deficit on the low-fat diet and a 15.4 % surfeit on the high-fat diet (p < 0.0001), resulting in significant changes in body weight (p < 0.001). A small amount ofcaloric compensation did occur (p < 0.02), which was greatest in the leanest subjects (p < 0.03). These results suggest that habitual, unrestricted consumption of low-fat diets may be an effective approach to weigh