A pilot investigation of the influences of planned exercise on food choices in school age children

There is an incomplete understanding of how and to what extent exercise influences food choices. Lifestyle and behavior patterns are still be developing during youth; therefore, an understanding of the food choices of children could lead to interventions that could have a long term impact on the prevention of obesity.; The purpose of this pilot investigation was to determine the influence of a short-bout of intense exercise on nutrient selection and food choices in school age children. Animal studies have shown a pattern of decreased fat intake and increased carbohydrate intake after exercise. Previous human studies, however, have not verified the pattern observed in animals. To date, none of these studies has involved junior high school age children. This pilot study compared food choices in 30 junior high students after intense exercise and after a non-exercise stimulus in a controlled laboratory setting. Fat consumption was increased in adolescents at the meal immediately preceding exercise (p-value 0.0373). However, once macronutrient intake was adjusted for the total changes in caloric intake no significant differences were found between groups.; When solely looking at all subjects during just their first intervention day results showed a statistically significant increase in fat intake in the exercising subjects for calories (p = .001) and for percentages (p =.007) of fat intake. Sedentary subjects showed a significant increase in carbohydrate (p = .034) intake at the first exposure to the buffet meal. Exercising subjects ate significantly more calories (p =.046) than sedentary subjects. Yet, when looking at the second visit there were no significant differences in intake patterns amongst the two groups. A better understanding of eating patterns based on an individual's activity level may help health care professionals better understand the needs of obese patients and to better plan prevention programs.