Interindividual variability in energy intake and expenditure during a weight loss intervention

Catarina L Nunes; Filipe Jesus; Gil B Rosa; Mariana Marianito; Ruben Francisco; Anja Bosy-Westphal; Cláudia S Minderico; Paulo Martins; Luis B Sardinha; Analiza M Silva

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2023.107162

Interindividual variability in energy intake and expenditure during a weight loss intervention

Appetite. 2024 Feb 1:193:107162. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107162. Epub 2023 Dec 13.

Affiliations

¹ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade Motricidade Humana, Universidade Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal; Atlântica, Instituto Universitário, Fábrica da Pólvora de Barcarena, Portugal.
² Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade Motricidade Humana, Universidade Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal.
³ Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz MB, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
⁴ Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Sciences, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
⁵ Laboratory of Sport Psychology, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana da Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal.
⁶ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade Motricidade Humana, Universidade Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal. Electronic address: analiza@fmh.ulisboa.pt.

PMID: 38101517
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107162

Abstract

Introduction: Behavioral compensations may occur as a response to a negative energy balance. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between changes in energy intake (EI) and changes in physical activity (PA, min/day; kcal/d) as a response to a weight loss (WL) intervention and to understand if interindividual differences occur in EI and energy expenditure (EE).

Methods: Eighty-one participants [mean (SD): age = 42.8 (9.4)y, BMI = 31.2 (4.4)kg/m², 37% females] divided in intervention (IG, n = 43) and control group (CG, n = 38) were included. The IG underwent a moderate energy restriction (300-500 kcal/d). EI was measured through the intake-balance method. Non-exercise PA (NEPA) and exercise (through logbook) were assessed by accelerometery. The EE in NEPA (NEAT) and in exercise (EiEE) was calculated by applying the Freedson Combination'98 algorithm over the time spent in these activities. Pearson correlations were performed in IG to examine associations between EE components, EI and body composition. To understand if interindividual differences were observed, the SD of individual response (SD_IR) and the smallest worthwhile change (SWC, SD_baseline^CG×0.2) were calculated.

Results: Changes in EI [Δ EI, (kcal/d)] was negatively associated with Δ exercise (min/d:r = -0.413, p = 0.045; %:r = -0.846, p = 0.008) and with Δ EiEE (kcal/d:r = -0.488, p = 0.016; %:r = -0.859, p = 0.006). A negative correlation was found between Δ sedentary time and Δ NEPA (min/d:r = -0.622, p = 0.002; %:r = -0.487, p = 0.018). An interindividual variability was found for EI(SD_IR = 151.6, SWC = 72.3) and EE (SD_IR = 165, SWC = 134).

Conclusions: Decreases in EI were not associated to compensatory responses such as decreases in PA and/or increases in sedentary time. Interindividual variability was found for EI and EE. Nevertheless, behavioral compensations and the interindividual variability should be considered when implementing WL interventions, to increase the likelihood of achieving sustainable results. (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03031951).

Keywords: Energy expenditure; Energy restriction; Exercise; Non-exercise physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Energy Intake* / physiology
Energy Metabolism / physiology
Exercise / physiology
Female
Health Expenditures*
Humans
Male
Weight Loss

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03031951