Determining strategies to decrease energy intake (EI) and promote energy expenditure (EE) is of utmost importance to prevent childhood obesity. Exercise not only has a direct effect on energy balance through EE, but also has an indirect effect through its impact on EI. Previous studies in adolescents with obesity have demonstrated that exercise, relative to rest, is effective in reducing subsequent EI and overall energy balance. From a prevention standpoint, it is vital to determine the effectiveness of exercise‐related strategies to reduce overeating in children who are healthy weight, but are at risk for developing obesity due to family history. This study examined the effects of acute exercise on EI in 18 healthy‐weight children (ages 9–12 years, n = 11 male) with at least 1 overweight biological parent (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2). Children reported to the laboratory for 1 baseline and 2 experimental visits (EX = exercise, SED = sedentary) each separated by 1 week in a randomized crossover design. Two hours into the EX day session, children exercised at 70% estimated VO2peak for 30 minutes on a cycle ergometer. Objective EI (kcal) was measured at a standard breakfast (285 kcal) and ad libitum lunch, snack, and dinner. Meals were identical on the EX and SED days. Activity‐related EE (kcal) was estimated with ActiGraph GT3X‐BT accelerometers worn on the non‐dominant wrist and ankle, scored using ActiLife 6 software. Relative EI (kcal) was computed as the difference between total EI and activity‐related EE for each testing day. Paired t‐tests were performed to test differences in total EI, activity‐related EE, and relative EI between the EX and SED days, analyzed using SPSS. Across all meals, total EI was not statistically different between the EX and SED days (t = 0.47, p = 0.64). Total intake on the two days was highly correlated (r = 0.83, p < 0.01). Activity‐related EE was greater on the EX day compared to the SED day (t = 9.18, p < 0.001). By design, this difference was predominantly driven by activity during the morning (t = 18.20, p < 0.001). Because children ate a similar number of kcal on each day, but had greater activity‐related EE on the EX day, relative EI was lower (t = −5.37, p < 0.001) for the EX day (1429 ± 354 kcal) relative to the SED day (1714 ± 296 kcal). Children did not adjust their daily EI to reflect differences in activity‐related EE between the two days, resulting in over‐consumption on the SED day compared to the EX day. Imposed exercise may help at‐risk children to better regulate their food intake within the course of a day.Support or Funding InformationSupported by USDA/NIFA Grant #2011‐67001‐30117 Program A2121.