Brisk walking reduces ad libitum snacking in regular chocolate eaters during a workplace simulation

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Psychology

Background:

• Workplace snacking, particularly on high-calorie items like chocolate, is a significant contributor to obesity.
• While exercise is known to reduce cravings, its impact on actual chocolate consumption during sedentary work remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of brief physical activity on ad libitum chocolate consumption.
• To examine how exercise interacts with cognitive task demands in influencing snacking behavior.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-eight regular chocolate eaters underwent a 2x2 factorial design involving either a 15-minute brisk walk or quiet rest, followed by computerised Stroop tasks under low or high cognitive load.
• Participants had continuous access to a pre-weighed bowl of chocolates throughout the task blocks.
• Chocolate consumption was measured in grams, and affective activation was assessed.

Main Results:

• A significant main effect of exercise was found, with participants in the exercise group consuming less chocolate (15.6 g) compared to the control group (28.8 g).
• No significant interaction or main effect of cognitive task difficulty on chocolate consumption was observed.
• Exercise increased affective activation, but this change did not mediate the effect on chocolate consumption.

Conclusions:

• A brief 15-minute walk can substantially reduce ad libitum chocolate consumption among regular chocolate eaters.
• Exercise appears to be an effective strategy for reducing unhealthy workplace snacking, independent of cognitive task stress.
• Findings suggest exercise as a viable intervention to manage dietary intake and support weight management in occupational settings.