Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Energy Intake, Macronutrient Intake, And Appetite

PURPOSE: Some evidence shows greater peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak) is associated with greater resting metabolic rate, but the relationship between V̇O2 peak and food intake has not been systematically examined using gold standard assessments of energy intake. This analysis aimed to examine the association between V̇O2 peak and energy intake, macronutrient intake, and appetite. METHODS: In all, 198 sedentary adults with overweight or obesity (mean ± SD body mass index: 31.7 ± 4.7 kg/m2) enrolled into the Examination of Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Weight Compensation (E-MECHANIC) trial were studied. Participants completed a graded treadmill test to determine V̇O2 peak. Free-living energy intake was determined by doubly labelled water; further, food intake was assessed through laboratory-based test meals, and energy intake and percent energy consumed from macronutrients were calculated. Appetite was examined through retrospective visual analogue scales. Multiple linear regression analyses examined the association between V̇O2 peak (L/min) and outcomes, adjusting for body composition, age, sex, and race (significance: P < 0.05). RESULTS: A positive association between V̇O2 peak and free-living energy intake was observed (P < 0.01), with each 1 L/min increase in V̇O2 peak associated with a 246 (95% CI: 131, 361) kcal/day increase in free-living energy intake. Energy intake (β = 73 kcal, 95% CI: -209, 356; P = 0.61), percent energy from fat (β = 0.9%, 95% CI: -1.9, 3.7; P = 0.53), and percent energy from protein (β = -0.3%, 95% CI: -2.6, 2.0; P = 0.79) at the laboratory test meals were not related to V̇O2 peak; yet a higher V̇O2 peak was associated with reduced percent energy from carbohydrate (β = -4.9%, 95% CI: -9.0, -0.8; P = 0.02). There was a positive association between V̇O2 peak and prospective food consumption (β = 9 mm, 95% CI: 1, 17; P = 0.02), though other appetite constructs were not significantly related to V̇O2 peak (P ≥ 0.15). CONCLUSION: In individuals with overweight and obesity, a higher V̇O2 peak was associated with increased free-living energy intake, lower percent carbohydrate intake at test meals, and greater subjective prospective food consumption. Work is thus needed to examine if V̇O2 peak influences energy intake, appetite, and eating behaviors during weight loss regimens and exercise training. National Institutes of Health (HL102166); NORC Center (P30 DK072476) sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U54 GM104940); and the American Heart Association (20POST35210907)