The study published in Obesity stated that highly processed and refined meals are the leading cause of the rising obesity rates in Western countries. It supports the "Protein Leverage Hypothesis" and was based on a nationwide nutrition and physical activity survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Experts reported that many people are compelled to eat more energy-dense meals until their protein needs are met because modern diets focus on highly processed and refined foods that are poor in protein. This increases their likelihood of being overweight, obese, and at risk of developing chronic diseases. Like other species, humans have a more marked preference for protein over the primary sources of energy-giving fats and carbohydrates. As a result, we need to consume more calories to receive the protein that our bodies require if fats and carbohydrates dilute the protein in our diets.

Researchers evaluated data from a cross-sectional study of 9,341 participants′ dietary and physical activity habits. They found that the average daily energy consumption for the population was 8,671 kilojoules (kJ), with just 18.4% of it coming from protein, compared to 43.5% from carbohydrates, 30.9% from fat, 2.2% from fibre, and 4.3% from alcohol. After plotting energy intake versus the time of consumption, the researchers observed that the pattern matched what the Protein Leverage Hypothesis had predicted.

The study concluded that the participants who took less protein than recommended at the first meal ate more food rich in refined sugar, salt, alcohol, or foods high in saturated fats throughout the day, leading to the intake of a poor diet at each meal. Participants who consumed the necessary amount of protein ate less throughout the day and even decreased their food intake.

(Source:  https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/protein-hunger-drives-overeating-in-large-scale-population-study-101668051881278.html)