Energy Balance and Appetite Regulation in Exercise Contexts
Summary
Energy balance arises from the interplay between energy intake and energy expenditure, with exercise serving as a potent modulator of both. Acute bouts of physical activity induce a transient energy deficit without necessarily triggering immediate compensatory increases in food consumption, whereas chronic training may gradually adjust appetite signalling to restore homeostasis. Central integration of peripheral signals—principally mediated by hormones such as ghrelin and leptin—occurs within hypothalamic nuclei and reward circuits, linking metabolic state to feeding behaviour. Exercise intensity, duration and modality each influence the magnitude and direction of these hormonal responses, while individual factors including body composition, habitual activity level and age confer substantial variability. In parallel, hedonic pathways modulate the pleasure derived from eating, and can be altered by exercise via changes in neurotransmitter release. Together, these homeostatic and hedonic processes shape adaptive adjustments in energy intake, underpinning the capacity of exercise to support weight management and metabolic health on a global scale.
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Energy Balance and Appetite Regulation in Exercise Contexts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in energy balance and appetite regulation in exercise contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Energy balance: Difference between energy intake and energy expenditure, determining weight gain, loss or maintenance.
Energy intake: Total caloric content of all foods and beverages consumed.
Energy expenditure: Sum of basal metabolic rate, activity-induced energy cost and thermic effect of feeding.
Ghrelin: Hormone produced predominantly in the stomach that stimulates appetite and food-seeking behaviour.
Leptin: Hormone secreted by adipose tissue that signals satiety and reduces hunger.
Satiety: Physiological state of reduced desire to eat following a meal, involving both homeostatic and hedonic processes.
References
- Impact of physical activity on caloric and macronutrient intake in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2024).
- Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition (2025).
- Physical Exercise and Appetite Regulation: New Insights. Biomolecules (2023).
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