Physical activity, energy expenditure and sedentary parameters in overfeeding studies - a systematic review

Valerie Giroux,Martine Laville,Berenice Segrestin,Soraya Saidj,Chantal Simon,Marie-Eve Mathieu

doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5801-2

Abstract

BackgroundIt has been proposed that compensations in physical activity, energy expenditure and sedentary parameters can occur as a result of overfeeding studies in order to maintain body weight; however, the evidence has not yet been systematically reviewed.MethodsThe current study systematically reviewed the literature on this subject to determine the common tools used in overfeeding studies and to explore whether overfeeding produces changes in physical activity, energy expenditure and sedentary parameters. Eight electronic databases were searched to identify experimental studies using keywords pertaining to overfeeding, exercise, physical activity and sedentariness. Articles included healthy adults (aged 18–64 years) participating in an overfeeding study that examined at least one parameter of sedentary, energy expenditure or physical activity. Of 123 full-text articles reviewed, 15 met the inclusion criteria.ResultsThe common tools used in overfeeding studies were doubly labeled water (n = 6), room calorimeter (n = 4), accelerometer (n = 7), pedometer (n = 3), radar sensor (n = 4) and survey (n = 1). Parameters partaining to energy expenditure increased between 7 to 50% with different overfeeding duration. Physical activity parameters, such as number of steps and spontaneous activity, increased or decreased significantly in three studies, while five studies showed no significant change. Sedentary parameters were examined by only one study and its results were not significant after 3 days of overfeeding. Methodological issues existed concerning the small number of studies, disparities in sedentary and physical activity parameters and various definitions of free-living experimental conditions and physical activity limits.ConclusionsThere is actually a use of many tools and a large variation of parameters for physical activity in overfeeding studies. Contradictory findings showed changes in physical activity parameters following overfeeding and limited findings support the absence of changes in sedentariness. While energy expenditure parameters are more numerous and all show an increase after an overfeeding period, further studies are required to confirm changes in physical activity and sedentary parameters.

Highlights

It has been proposed that compensations in physical activity, energy expenditure and sedentary parameters can occur as a result of overfeeding studies in order to maintain body weight; the evidence has not yet been systematically reviewed
While a positive energetic balance is a crucial determinant of obesity development, some experimental studies simulated this stage by increasing energy intake beyond energy requirements to maintain body weight
Our results indicated that there might be some changes in Physical activity (PA) and energy expenditure parameters while sedentary parameters appeared to be maintained

Summary

Introduction

It has been proposed that compensations in physical activity, energy expenditure and sedentary parameters can occur as a result of overfeeding studies in order to maintain body weight; the evidence has not yet been systematically reviewed. While a positive energetic balance is a crucial determinant of obesity development, some experimental studies simulated this stage by increasing energy intake beyond energy requirements to maintain body weight These overfeeding studies aimed to unravel the physiological adaptation to nutrient excess and in particular the evolution of 1) changes in body composition; 2) possible alterations in carbohydrates, lipids or proteins metabolisms; 3) changes in endocrine functions; and 4) changes in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function [3,4,5]. The average weight gain observed in most overfeeding studies are lower than expected, suggesting the presence of mechanisms that counteract the effects of excess energy intake [8] In this field of investigation, small increases in resting metabolic rate and the thermic effect of food are mechanisms of interest, but only partially explain lower than expected body weight gain [9]. Some researches focused on adaptive thermogenesis, which includes resting energy expenditure and non-resting energy expenditure and explains the energy dissipation during overfeeding [10]

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