| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2844254 | Physiology & Behavior | 2014 | 5 Pages |
•Physical activity program leads to a 10% decreased energy intake in obese youth.•Interventions have to consider potential energy expenditure compensations to physical activity.•Physical activity not only acts on energy expenditure but also intake in obese adolescents.
AimTo examine energy intake adaptations to a 10-week aerobic exercise program in obese adolescents.MethodsTwenty-six 12–17 year old obese adolescents were asked to cycle twice a week for an hour in a research laboratory. Body composition, aerobic fitness (submaximal fitness test) and energy intake (3-day food record) were assessed before and immediately after the 10-week intervention.ResultsThe average time spent pedaling per session was 55.3 ± 12.1 min for a mean energy expenditure of 2196 ± 561 kJ per session. The intervention produced significant improvements in percentage of body fat (44.5 ± 10.6% vs. 43.4 ± 9.8%; p < 0.05) but no significant weight and fat-free mass change. Peak workload (79.5 ± 20.8 W vs. 87.3 ± 17.6 W; p < 0.05) and peak heart rate (174.6 ± 18.7 bpm vs. 166.2 ± 21.0 bpm; p < 0.01) were improved. The mean total daily energy intake (in kJ/day) showed a tendency to decrease through the intervention (7440 ± 1744 to 6740 ± 2124 kJ; p = 0.07) but a high inter-individual variability observed in the energy intake response to the intervention may explain the non-significant association between the energy intake response and weight loss.ConclusionA 10-week aerobic exercise program may result in a small decrease in energy intake and an associated decrease in percentage of body fat but no weight loss in obese adolescents. This lack of weight loss could be explained by a decrease in spontaneous energy expenditure outside the intervention sessions.
