Randomized Trial Examining the Effect of a 12-wk Exercise Program on Hedonic Eating

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Obesity Research
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Hedonic eating, encompassing overeating and stress-induced eating, is a significant factor in obesity.
• Understanding the impact of exercise on hedonic eating behaviors is crucial for developing effective weight management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of exercise training in modifying hedonic eating behaviors among overweight and obese women.
• To determine if exercise training reduces overeating, stress-induced overeating, disinhibited eating, and responses to dietary temptations.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving inactive, self-identified stress-eating women.
• Participants were assigned to either moderate-intensity exercise training (200 min/week) or a no-exercise control group.
• Ecological momentary assessment was used to measure eating episodes, stress-induced overeating, and temptations over 14 days at baseline and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• Exercise training significantly reduced the proportion of overeating episodes (21.98% vs. 26.62%, P = 0.001).
• Disinhibition decreased in the exercise group (P = 0.02), primarily driven by internal factors.
• A trend indicated the control group was more likely to succumb to dietary temptations (P = 0.08).

Conclusions:

• Moderate-intensity exercise training effectively reduced overeating and eating in response to internal cues in women with stress-eating tendencies.
• Exercise may serve as a viable strategy to modulate hedonic eating behaviors, potentially contributing to body weight regulation.