Intensive exercise: A remedy for childhood obesity?

International audienceBackground: Acute exercise can affect the energy intake regulation, which is of major interest in terms of obesity intervention and weight loss. Objective: To test the hypothesis that intensive exercise can affect the subsequent energy intake and balance in obese adolescents. Design: The study was conducted in 2009 and enrolled 12 obese pubertal adolescents ages 14.4 +/- 1.5 years old. Two exercise and one sedentary sessions were completed. The first exercise (EX(1)) and sedentary session (SED) were randomly conducted 1 week apart. The second exercise session (EX(2)) was conducted following 6 weeks of diet modification and physical activity (3 x 90 min/week) to produce weight loss. Energy intake was recorded, subjective appetite sensation was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scales and energy expenditure was measured using ActiHerats during EX(1), EX(2) and SED. Results: Total energy intake over the awakened period was significantly reduced by 31% and 18% during the EX(1) and EX(2) sessions compared with the SED session, respectively (p