GLP‐1 and Appetite Responses to a Meal in Lean and Overweight Adolescents Following Exercise

Abstract

Increased physical activity is an integral part of weight loss programs in adolescents. We prospectively investigated the effects of exercise on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations and on appetite markers. Normal weight (NW) and at risk of overweight/overweight (OW) male adolescents (n = 17/gr) underwent five consecutive days of aerobic exercise (1 h/day). A test meal was administered prior to the first exercise session and 36 hours following the last exercise session. GLP-1 and markers of appetite were assessed. GLP-1 concentrations over the course of the test meal were lower in OW compared to NW boys (P < 0.05), while fasting GLP-1 concentrations tended to be lower in OW boys (0.05 < P < 0.1). Exercise caused an increase in the acute GLP-1 response to the liquid meal (from 52 to 78%, P = 0.02) that was similar in NW and OW adolescents. OW adolescents expressed greater restraint compared to NW adolescents (three-factor eating questionnaire, TFEQ) and there was a significant correlation between TFEQ for restraint score and BMI s.d. both before and after exercise intervention (P < 0.015). There was no significant correlation between markers of appetite and GLP-1 concentrations. Lower concentrations of GLP-1, a satiety hormone, in OW compared to NW male adolescents support the theory that GLP-1 plays a role in the etiology of overweight. Whether the greater meal-induced, 0-30 min GLP-1 response following exercise is associated with increased satiety, a potentially beneficial effect of exercise, needs to be evaluated in larger studies. Obesity (2008) 16, 202-204. doi:10.1038/oby.2007.39.