Impact of energy turnover on fat balance in healthy young men during energy balance, energetic restriction and overfeeding

Abstract

Body weight control is thought to be improved when physical activity and energy intake are both high (high energy turnover (ET)). The aim of the present study was to investigate the short-term impact of ET on fat balance during zero energy balance (EB), energetic restriction (ER) and overfeeding (OF). In a randomised crossover study, nine healthy men (BMI: 23·0 (SD 2·1) kg/m2, 26·6 (SD 3·5) years) passed 3 × 3 d in a metabolic chamber: three levels of ET (low, medium and high; physical activity level = 1·3−1·4, 1·5−1·6 and 1·7−1·8) were performed at zero EB, ER and OF (100, 75 and 125 % of individual energy requirement). Different levels of ET were obtained by walking (4 km/h) on a treadmill (0, 165 and 330 min). Twenty-four-hour macronutrient oxidation and relative macronutrient balance (oxidation relative to intake) was calculated, and NEFA, 24-h insulin and catecholamine secretion were analysed as determinants of fat oxidation. During EB and OF, 24-h fat oxidation increased with higher ET. This resulted in a higher relative fat balance at medium ET (EB: +17 %, OF: +14 %) and high ET (EB: +23 %, OF: +17 %) compared with low ET (all P < 0·05). In contrast, ER led to a stimulation of 24-h fat oxidation irrespective of ET (no differences in relative fat balance between ET levels, P > 0·05). In conclusion, under highly controlled conditions, a higher ET improved relative fat balance in young healthy men during OF and EB compared with a sedentary state.

Difference in Housing Temperature‐Induced Energy Expenditure Elicits Sex‐Specific Diet‐Induced Metabolic Adaptations in Mice

“…Recently, increased coupling of energy intake to EE and associated improved energy balance were observed during stepwise increases in physical activity and EE (32). Furthermore, higher EE was associated with better pairing of energy intake to energy demand and increased fat oxidation during either energy balance feeding or overfeeding (33). Here, we show that using different housing temperatures produces divergent EE in mice independent of physical activity.…”

“…However, female mice had less positive energy balance and greater energy intake coupling compared with males at either EE level. The previously cited studies did not investigate whether the increases in energy intake coupling and energy balance associated with higher EE were different in males versus females (32,33). Future work is necessary to specifically investigate the observed sex differences in coupling of energy intake to EE and the responses in energy metabolism to increased EE.…”

Impact of Energy Turnover on the Regulation of Energy and Macronutrient Balance

“…Using the setting of a metabolic chamber, we investigated the impact of energy flux (different levels of energy turnover at the same energy balance) on the regulation of macronutrient balance and glucose metabolism. Relative fat balance (8), postprandial glycemia, and insulin secretion (7) were all improved with increasing levels of daylong energy turnover (PAL of 1.3, 1.6, and 1.8 achieved by different durations of brisk walking). These results were not only observed at equal energy balance but also when comparing a high versus low energy turnover during caloric restriction or overfeeding.…”

“…During low‐ to moderate‐intensity exercise (brisk walking) that was used in our previous study to induce different levels of energy turnover, glycogen breakdown and glycolysis should be barely stimulated, and fat oxidation rates were high (6,8). Despite higher fat oxidation, a higher energy turnover reduced overfeeding‐induced postprandial glycemia and insulin secretion, presumably by increasing non‐insulin‐dependent glucose uptake (7).…”

“…Furthermore, normalization of energy turnover for energy intake is required to investigate whether energy turnover and the rate of change in energy turnover (timing, frequency, and intensity of energy turnover) can regulate energy and macronutrient balance and thus affect metabolic health (6‐8). This is implemented in the concept of energy flux, which can be described as the level of energy balance, i.e., the rate of energy conversion from absorption to expenditure or storage (9).…”