In the latest evidence that sticking to your health-focused New Year's resolutions is worth it, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found that regular exercise is linked to better eating habits. The new study looked at 2,680 young adults who did not exercise or diet regularly. Scientists found that after several weeks of exercise, former sedentary study participants were more likely to choose foods such as lean meats, fruits and vegetables, while preferences for fried foods, sodas and other unhealthy options decreased.
Participants were instructed not to significantly change their diet, but it happened anyway. While this study did not examine the mechanism behind the behind-the-scenes changes, previous research has shown that moderate exercise can reduce a preference for high-fat foods in animals through changes in dopamine levels. Several studies have also shown a link between the intensity of exercise and the amount of appetite-regulating hormones in the body.
The researcher says what influences changes in eating preferences when people exercise may likely be consistent over a wide time frame. The study examined people between the ages of 18 and 35, a period of young adulthood that is crucial for forming healthy habits. Previous studies have shown that significant weight gain occurs during the college years and that being mildly to moderately overweight between the ages of 20 and 22 increases the risk of obesity later in life.
Participants who said they exercised less than 30 minutes a week at the start of the study started 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week for 15 weeks, with instructions not to significantly change their diet. The exercise sessions consisted of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 65-85 percent of the subject's age- and gene-specific maximum heart rate, a 5-minute warm-up, and a 5-minute cool-down. Participants wore heart rate monitors and could choose from different types of exercise, such as on stationary bikes, treadmills or elliptical machines.
