Differential effects of diet composition and exercise on human hunger and satiation

How diet composition and exercise influence human hunger and satiation was examined in a study where exercise (X) or sedentary (S) condition preceded meals of either Paleolithic (P) or Western (W) composition. PURPOSE Examine the effect of P and W meals and X or S on hunger and fullness ratings during postprandial periods (PPs). METHODS Postmenopausal women engaged in 1 of 4 conditions: S or 2 bouts of X (7–9 h and 14–16 h) with P or W meals (PS, PX, WS, WX; n=8 each) provided at 10 h and 17 h. PP hunger and satiation were measured hourly with a 100‐mm visual analog scale. Meals contained 30% carbohydrate (CHO), 25% protein (PRO), and 45% FAT in P vs 60% CHO, 15% PRO, and 25% FAT in W. Changes in hunger and satiation to X, P and W during two PPs were tested with repeated‐measures mixed model ANOVA. RESULTS Satiation during both PPs was unaffected by either P,W or X. Hunger ratings were significantly lower to P meals during both PPs. An additional suppressive effect of exercise during 1st PP, and an interactive effect of X during 2nd PP, was apparent but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Absence of a differential effect of diet composition and exercise on the satiation suggests a role of meal volume in its control. Differential effects of diet, and possibly of exercise, on hunger ratings, suggest a sensitivity in hunger controls to variations in nutrient composition and energy expenditure.