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

Abstract:

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) and 19 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-R21C) 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 pbkp_redicted 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.