Association of Exercise with Control of Eating and Energy Intake

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This narrative review examines the association of acute and chronic exercise with control of eating and energy intake, which could provide important insights for interventions targeting weight loss and weight management. Recent Findings: Despite considerable variability in study results, acute exercise is generally associated with a decline in appetite. This effect, however, is short-lived, and changes in 24-h energy intake in response to exercise have been limited. Chronic exercise may induce some compensatory increase in energy intake due to an increase in hunger. Nevertheless, higher activity levels have been associated with a better regulation of energy intake. Summary: The better coupling of energy intake and energy expenditure with exercise indicates beneficial effects of exercise in weight management. In order to enhance the efficacy of exercise-based strategies targeting weight loss, additional research—particularly on differential effects of various exercise modes and individual traits that characterize participants at increased risk for compensatory energy intake—is warranted.