Effects of moderate intensity exercise training on appetite, acylated ghrelin and leptin levels in obese and untrained women

Introduction: Appetite affected energy homeostasis, it play an important role in control and regulation of energy balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate intensity exercise training on appetite, acylated ghrelin and leptin levels in obese and untrained women. Methods: The research method was semi-experimental. The sample group was made of 25 subjects randomly assigned into two groups: high moderate exercise (15 subjects) and control (10 subjects). The blood sample test was taken in two stages of rest and before breakfast and an appetite questionnaire was completed. Running exercise program including three sessions a week for six weeks with 64-76% of maximum heart rate. 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to analysis the data. Results: The results showed that fat percentage (P=0.53) and body weight (P=0.48) after exercise did not change significantly, but maximum oxygen consumption was significantly increased after exercise (P=0.03). Moderate intensity exercise did not have a significant effect on leptin (P=0.93) and plasma acylated ghrelin (P=0.86). Besides, there was not a significant difference in appetite (P=0.76) and daily calorie intake (P=0.58) between two groups. Conclusion: The lack of significant negative energy balance in the research protocol, resulting in no significant weight loss, did not create compensatory responses of appetite. It seems that the duration of exercise should be increased to change the appetite and related hormones, in order to create a negative balance.