Effects of exercise on appetite hormones and brain responses to food cues
The Influence of Acute Continuous Exercise and Adiposity on Appetite Hormones and Neural Correlates of Visual Food Cues
This study tests how different types of exercise affect hunger hormones and brain reactions to food in people of different weights.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Loughborough University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Loughborough) |
| Trial ID | NCT06849050 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how acute continuous exercise, such as walking or jogging, affects appetite-related hormones and brain activity in individuals with varying weight statuses. Participants will undergo a series of visits, including a preliminary assessment and two main trial visits where they will engage in exercise and control conditions. The study aims to measure changes in hormones like oxyntomodulin, ghrelin, and peptide YY, as well as subjective appetite perceptions and neural responses using MRI. By understanding these relationships, the research seeks to provide insights into how exercise influences appetite and energy intake.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with a BMI between 18.5 - 40 kg/m2 and specific waist circumference measurements, who are able to walk continuously for one hour.
Not a fit: Patients who are not within the specified BMI and waist circumference criteria or those unable to engage in continuous walking may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved strategies for managing appetite and weight through exercise interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown that exercise can influence appetite hormones, but the specific focus on oxyntomodulin in relation to varying adiposity is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2 and a waist circumference of ≤ 88 cm for women, and ≤ 102 cm for men or a BMI between 25 - 40 kg/m2 and a waist circumference of \> 88 cm for women, and \> 102 cm for men. BMI and waist circumference thresholds vary amongst ethnicities. People with a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background are prone to central adiposity and their cardiometabolic risk occurs at a lower BMI. Therefore, the following BMI and waist circumference thresholds will be applied for people of South Asian, other Asian, Black African and African-Caribbean ethnicity: (1) BMI 18.5 kg/m2 to 23 kg/m2 and waist circumference of \< 90 cm for men and \< 80 cm for women; (2) BMI 23.1 kg/m2 to 40 kg/m2 and waist circumference of ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women. * Normally consumes three meals a day * Able to walk continuously for 1 hour on a treadmill * Weight stable for 3 months (\< 3kg change in weight) * Regular menstrual cycle for the last 6 months (people taking the combined contraceptive pill are eligible for the study) * Able to undergo a 45-minute MRI scan Exclusion Criteria: * Smokers (vaping is considered smoking in this study) * Known medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart condition) * Taking any medication which may affect the study outcomes (e.g. liraglutide, semaglutide, insulin, steroids, anti-psychotics) * Clinically diagnosed eating disorder * Previous bariatric surgery (e.g. gastric bypass, gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy) * Food allergies or intolerances, or severe dislikes to study foods * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Have recently donated blood (within eight weeks of visits 2 and 3).
Where this trial is running
Loughborough
- Loughborough University — Loughborough, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David J Stensel — Loughborough University
- Study coordinator: Faye Ashton
- Email: F.Ashton@lboro.ac.uk
- Phone: 00000000000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.