Glycogen and Appetite

Obesity is the outcome of chronic excessive energy intake and reduced energy expenditure leading to energy imbalance. It is a risk factor for many preventable diseases such as metabolic disease and its consequences such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Sedentary adults have been shown to have an increased appetite in excess of energy requirements and adults who are more active are able to better regulate energy intake. It is thought that carbohydrate availability and specifically hepatic glycogen utilisation during exercise is a regulator of appetite. However, the majority of research so far does not support this theory, potentially due to research not examining the tissue-specific link between glycogen use and appetite. The aim of this study is to assess whether altering substrate utilisation during exercise by suppressing lipolysis influences GLP-1 levels and caloric intake post exercise. Additionally, the study will explore if there is a tissue specific link between substrate utilisation and post exercise energy intake and examine potential sex differences.