Background
Acute exercise can affect the energy intake regulation, which is of major interest in terms of obesity intervention and weight loss.
Objective
To test the hypothesis that intensive exercise can affect the subsequent energy intake and balance in obese adolescents.
Design
The study was conducted in 2009 and enrolled 12 obese pubertal adolescents ages 14.4 ± 1.5 years old. Two exercise and one sedentary sessions were completed. The first exercise (EX1) and sedentary session (SED) were randomly conducted 1 week apart. The second exercise session (EX2) was conducted following 6 weeks of diet modification and physical activity (3 × 90 min/week) to produce weight loss. Energy intake was recorded, subjective appetite sensation was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scales and energy expenditure was measured using ActiHerats during EX1, EX2 and SED.
Results
Total energy intake over the awakened period was significantly reduced by 31% and 18% during the EX1 and EX2 sessions compared with the SED session, respectively (p < 0.01). Energy balance over the awakened period was negative during EX1, neutral during EX2 and positive during SED. There was no significant difference in terms of subjective appetite rates between sessions during the awakened hours.
Conclusions
Intensive exercise favors a negative energy balance by dually affecting energy expenditure and energy intake without changes in appetite sensations, suggesting that adolescents are not at risk of food frustration.