Effect of calorie-restricted low fat diet and fiber on digestibility and body composition in obese male rats

ABSTRACT

Five groups of adult obese male rats were fed for 8 weeks on a low fat [6%] restricted calorie diets. The diets were supplemented with pectin, high bran bread [HBB], low bran bread [LBB] or potato. Results were compared with fiber depleted low calorie diet. The four treatments used significantly affected N and fat digestibility [p <0.01]. HBB diet had significantly lower fat and N digestibility than the other 3 diets [p <0.01]. Pectin diet had the highest N digestibility, its value was significantly different from potato diet [p <0.01]. Pectin had a lower fat digestibility than potato and LBB, but the difference was not significant. Control and pectin groups had the highest carcass protein, values were significantly different from those fed potato [p <0.01]. Pectin also had the lowest carcass fat being significant from those fed control diet [p <0.05] and LBB diet [p <0.01], while LBB had the highest carcass fat, the lowest carcass protein and moisture