Leptin, appetite and weight rebound in overweight/obesity individuals undertook weight loss program using a low calorie diet with or without exercise

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that leptin plays an important role in regulating in energy expenditure and appetite. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low calorie diet with or without combined exercises on leptin, appetite, and weight rebound. METHODS: This is an experimental study and 63 subjects were divided into two groups: a low calorie diet group (LCD) and a low calorie diet with training group (LCD+training) Appetite, anthropometric measures, dietary intake and plasma leptin level were measured before and after the intervention (8 weeks). Body weight was measured 4 weeks after the intervention was ended. RESULTS: The appetite ratings including sensation of hunger, satiety, fullness, and desire to eat were unchanged in both groups (P > 0.05). Energy and carbohydrate intake were correlated with hunger, satiety and fullness before the intervention (P < 0.05). Plasma leptin was significantly reduced in LCD+training group (P = 0.001) but not in LCD group (P = 0.285). Changes in plasma leptin level were associated with body weight changes during 8 weeks of intervention (r = 0.56, P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: A combination of a low calorie diet with combined training was able to reduce plasma leptin and the change of leptin was associated with body weight changes.