Obesity does not modulate men's eating behavior after a high intensity interval exercise session: an exercise trial

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Science
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Investigating the physiological responses to exercise in individuals with obesity is crucial for understanding metabolic health.
• High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) is a time-efficient training modality with potential metabolic benefits.
• Understanding the interplay between exercise, hunger, and energy intake (EI) is key to managing body weight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if obesity influences hunger and energy intake responses following high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in young men.
• To compare the effects of HIIE on appetite regulation between men with obesity and normal-weight controls.

Main Methods:

• A high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocol was administered to ten men with obesity (OB) and ten normal-weight controls (CG).
• The HIIE session involved repeated intervals at 100% of maximum aerobic velocity (MAV) with active and passive recovery periods.
• Hunger and desire to eat were measured at baseline, 2 hours, and 24 hours post-exercise, with energy intake (EI) assessed at baseline and 24 hours post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Both obese and normal-weight groups exhibited increased carbohydrate intake following HIIE (P<0.01).
• Hunger feelings and desire to eat significantly increased over time in both groups (P<0.01), with no significant group or group × time interaction.
• Energy intake (EI) was estimated at baseline and 24 hours post-HIIE, showing increases in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Body weight status does not appear to alter hunger perception or energy intake responses after a single session of HIIE in young men.
• A notable finding is the compensatory increase in carbohydrate intake and heightened hunger feelings observed in both groups post-HIIE.
• These findings highlight the importance for health professionals to consider appetite regulation changes after HIIE, particularly concerning macronutrient intake.