People can eat a lot more without feeling hungrier — meaning something other than hunger might be making them eat more.
Scientific Claim
In adults consuming a high-protein diet under ad-libitum conditions, caloric intake can increase significantly without corresponding changes in perceived hunger or satiety, suggesting non-appetitive factors may drive overeating.
Original Statement
“On the SSM day, the mean ± SD daily caloric intake increased by 262 ± 332 kcal compared to the previous study days (P < 0.001), with no changes in subjective appetite scores.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The claim reports an observed dissociation between intake and appetite ratings, which is directly supported by the data. No causal language is used.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
People ate way more food on days they chose their own meals, even though they didn’t feel hungrier or fuller than usual—meaning something other than hunger made them eat more.