Long‐term aerobic exercise training does not increase energy intake in overweight and obese young adults

Results from studies examining the effects of aerobic exercise on energy intake (EI) have been equivocal: however, these studies have been short‐term and based on self‐report assessment of EI and exercise energy expenditure (EEEx) estimated from self‐reports of participation in unsupervised exercise. The effects of long‐term, supervised, verified exercise on EI are uncertain. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess change in EI when daily EEEx was maintained at either 400 or 600 kcal/day, 5 days/wk for 6‐months in previously sedentary, overweight/obese (BMI=31.2±4.6), healthy, young (age=23.0±3.14y,) men (n=23) and women (n=28). Methods Participants were randomly assigned to a group that progressed to either 400 (n=27) or 600 (n=24) kcal/day over a 4‐month period and then maintained exercise at this volume for an additional 6‐months. Participants were required to exercise 5 days/wk under direct supervision and EEEx was verified monthly by indirect calorimetry. EI was assessed by 7 day visual plate waste analysis at baseline, 6, and 10‐months. Results Average weight loss during this 6‐months was 2.3±2.9 kg and 3.8±5.2 kg in the 400 and 600 kcal groups respectively. There was no significant change in EI (Table 1) over time (p=0.502) or between groups (p=0.261). Also, there was no significant group by time interaction (p=0.809). Conclusion Six months of supervised, verified exercise of either 400 or 600 kcal/day does not result in significant changes in EI in either group. The weight loss may be the result of a negative energy balance created by the large volume of EEEx and the lack of compensatory increases in EI. Funded by NIH DK49181.