Effect of exercise training interventions on energy intake and appetite control in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Summary

This systematic review examined the impact of exercise training interventions on energy intake (EI) and appetite control in adults with overweight/obesity (≥18 years including older adults). Articles were searched up to October 2019. Changes in EI, fasting appetite sensations, and eating behavior traits were examined with random effects meta‐analysis, and other outcomes were synthesized qualitatively. Forty‐eight articles were included (median [range] BMI = 30.6 [27.0–38.4] kg/m ²). Study quality was rated as poor, fair, and good in 39, seven, and two studies, respectively. Daily EI was assessed objectively ( N = 4), by self‐report ( N = 22), with a combination of the two ( N = 4) or calculated from doubly labeled water ( N = 1). In studies rated fair/good, no significant changes in pre‐post daily EI were found and a small but negligible (SMD < 0.20) postintervention difference when compared with no‐exercise control groups was observed (five study arms; MD = 102 [1, 203] kcal). There were negligible‐to‐small pre‐post increases in fasting hunger and dietary restraint, decrease in disinhibition, and some positive changes in satiety and food reward/preferences. Within the limitations imposed by the quality of the included studies, exercise training (median duration of 12 weeks) leads to a small increase in fasting hunger and a small change in average EI only in studies rated fair/good. Exercise training may also reduce the susceptibility to overconsumption (PROSPERO: CRD42019157823).