Exercise-induced changes in central adiposity during a RCT: effect of exercise dose and associations with compensation

Dorling, J. L. , Apolzan, J. W., Johannsen, N. M., Thomas, D. M., Höchsmann, C., Hsia, D. S. and Martin, C. K. (2023) Exercise-induced changes in central adiposity during a RCT: effect of exercise dose and associations with compensation. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, (doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad696) (PMID:38019946) (In Press)

Abstract

Context: Exercise can decrease central adiposity, but the effect of exercise dose and the relationship between central adiposity and exercise-induced compensation is unclear. Objective: Test the effect of exercise dose on central adiposity change and the association between central adiposity and exercise-induced weight compensation. Methods: In this ancillary analysis of a 6-month randomized controlled trial, 170 participants with overweight or obesity (mean±SD BMI: 31.5±4.7 kg/m2) were randomized to a control group or exercise groups that reflected exercise recommendations for health (8 kcal/kg/week [KKW]) or weight loss and weight maintenance (20 KKW). Waist circumference was measured, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessed central adiposity. Predicted weight change was estimated and weight compensation (weight change minus predicted weight change) was calculated. Results: Between-group change in waist circumference (control: 0.0 cm [95% CI: -1.0,1.0], 8 KKW: -0.7 cm [95% CI: -1.7,0.4], 20 KKW: -1.3 cm [95% CI: -2.4, -0.2]) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT; control: -0.02 kg [95% CI: -0.07,0.04], 8 KKW: -0.01 kg [95% CI: -0.07,0.04], 20 KKW: -0.04 kg [95% CI: -0.10,0.02]) was similar (P≥0.23). Most exercisers (82.6%) compensated (predicted weight change lower than actual weight change). Exercisers who compensated exhibited a 2.5 cm (95% CI: 0.8,4.2) and 0.23 kg (95% CI: 0.14,0.31) increase in waist circumference and VAT, respectively, versus those who did not (P<0.01). Desire to eat predicted VAT change during exercise (β=0.21; P=0.03). Conclusions: In the presence of significant weight compensation, exercise at doses recommended for health and weight loss and weight maintenance leads to negligible changes in central adiposity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Study supported by NIH (grant: HL102166); NORC Center grants P30 DK072476, titled “Nutritional Programming: Environmental and Molecular Interactions” sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; the National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant U54 GM104940; and the American Heart Association (AHA) (grant: 20POST35210907).
• Keywords: Physical activity, weight loss/reduction, abdominal obesity, visceral fat, energy intake, body composition.
• Status: In Press
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dorling, Dr James
• Authors: Dorling, J. L., Apolzan, J. W., Johannsen, N. M., Thomas, D. M., Höchsmann, C., Hsia, D. S., and Martin, C. K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0021-972X
• ISSN (Online): 1945-7197
• Published Online: 29 November 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License