Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Regular Activity Breaks does not Acutely Influence Appetite: A Randomised...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Science
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Prolonged sitting is associated with negative health outcomes.
• Regular activity breaks may increase energy expenditure but could potentially lead to compensatory eating.
• The acute effects of activity breaks on appetite regulation remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of regular activity breaks versus prolonged sitting on appetite and energy intake.
• To investigate whether interrupting sitting with short bouts of exercise influences subsequent food consumption.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, cross-over trial involving 36 healthy adults.
• Two interventions: prolonged sitting (SIT) and sitting with 2-minute walking breaks every 30 minutes (RAB).
• Appetite and satiety were measured using visual analogue scales, and energy intake was assessed via an ad libitum meal.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in appetite response (area under the curve) were observed between the SIT and RAB interventions on either day.
• Energy consumed during the ad libitum meal did not differ significantly between the two conditions.
• Despite increased energy expenditure from activity breaks, appetite and food intake were not acutely affected.

Conclusions:

• Interrupting prolonged sitting with regular, short activity breaks does not acutely alter appetite or energy intake in healthy adults.
• The findings suggest that compensatory eating does not immediately offset the energy expenditure from activity breaks.
• Longer-term studies are necessary to determine the overall impact of regular activity breaks on energy balance and weight management.