Open AccessThe Effects of Exercise on Food Intake and Body Fatness: A Summary of Published Studies
Author(s) -
Elder Sonya J.,
Roberts Susan B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
nutrition reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.958
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1753-4887
pISSN - 0029-6643
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2007.tb00263.x
Subject(s) - medicine , food intake , physical exercise , balance (ability) , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus , disease , endocrinology , environmental health , gerontology , physiology , physical therapy
Exercise has well‐recognized health benefits, including reduction in risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, the extent to which exercise influences energy regulation and facilitates a reduction in body fat is less clear. This review summarizes published studies on the effects of different amounts of exercise on body fatness, energy intake, and food preferences in humans. The results show consistent effects of exercise on body fatness in the absence of prescribed dietary change, with a progressive loss of body fat associated with higher exercise energy expenditures in both men and women. In part, these effects appear to be mediated by a spontaneous reduction in hunger associated with participation in exercise. Insufficient data are available on whether there are changes in food preferences and taste perception that influence energy balance through macro‐nutrient selection, so further studies in this area are needed.