Effects of a 3-month vigorous physical activity intervention on eating behaviors and body composition in overweight and obese boys and girls

摘要

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effects of a 3-month vigorous physical activity(VPA) intervention on eating behavior and body composition in overweight and obese children and adolescents.Methods: Forty-seven participants(7–16 years) took part in the study: 28 were assigned to the intervention group(IG)(10 boys and 18 girls) and19 in a control group(CG)(8 boys and 11 girls). Body composition(dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), anthropometrics(body mass, height, and body mass index(BMI)), and eating behavior traits(Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 C) were determined before and after the VPA intervention.Results: A decrease in the percentage of body fat and BMI(-2.8% and-1.8%, respectively), and an increase in most lean mass variables were found in the IG(all p ≤ 0.05). In relation to the eating behavior traits, IG subjects showed a 14% reduction in the Emotional Eating score(p = 0.04),while Cognitive Restraint score did not change after the VPA intervention. The baseline factors of the questionnaire predicted changes in body mass and fat mass variables only in the CG.Conclusion: A 3-month VPA intervention influenced eating behaviors of overweight or obese young, especially the Emotional Eating factor, in the presence of favorable body composition changes.