The global obesity epidemic, affecting over one billion people worldwide, is largely driven by eating behaviors. Appetite, influenced by both intrinsic and environmental factors, plays a crucial role in weight management. A recent study how exercise affects appetite perception in obese males, shedding light on the physiological mechanisms behind hunger suppression post-exercise.

While exercise is well-known for its benefits in weight management, its direct impact on appetite control has remained a subject of debate. Appetite is regulated by a complex network of gastrointestinal and neurohormonal signals, including hormones like ghrelin, leptin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and neuropeptide Y (NPY). These hormones influence hunger levels, satiety, and energy balance.

The study published in Physiological Reports examines investigated how moderate continuous aerobic exercise (MICE) alters these hormone levels in obese men, ultimately affecting their hunger perception. The findings reveal that certain myokines and cytokines shift dynamically post-exercise, potentially reducing appetite and offering a promising strategy for weight management.

Hormonal Responses to Exercise

The study found that after exercise, there was a significant increase in IL-6 and irisin levels in the exercise group compared to those who remained sedentary. These elevated concentrations persisted for an hour after working out. IL-6 has been associated with regulating metabolism and enhancing fat oxidation, while irisin plays a role in converting white fat into more metabolically active brown fat.

Conversely, the study reported a decrease in neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels, a key neurotransmitter responsible for stimulating appetite. The decline in NPY levels post-exercise suggests a temporary suppression of hunger, supporting the idea that exercise can curb cravings. However, the study did not observe significant changes in IL-7 or leptin levels, two other hormones involved in appetite regulation.

Why Some People Struggle to Lose Weight

Ghrelin, often called the “hunger hormone,” stimulates appetite by increasing activity in specific areas of the brain. Individuals with higher ghrelin levels generally find it harder to lose weight because their bodies signal hunger more frequently.

Research suggests that dieting can lead to an increase in ghrelin levels, making weight loss challenging. Certain medical conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Prader-Willi syndrome, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, are also linked to elevated ghrelin levels, complicating appetite regulation further.

Challenges in Implementing Exercise for Appetite Control

While exercise has clear benefits, the findings should be interpreted with caution. He pointed out that the study had a small sample size, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.

Moreover, he highlighted the challenges faced by obese individuals in maintaining an intensive exercise routine. While exercise-induced appetite suppression is promising, consistently engaging in high-intensity workouts may be unrealistic for those who struggle with mobility or fitness levels. More extensive studies are needed to determine the optimal exercise duration and intensity for effective appetite suppression.

Tips to Naturally And Safely Suppressing Appetite

Besides exercise, there are several strategies individuals can use to naturally suppress their appetite and improve satiety:

Increase Protein Intake: Protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, legumes, and dairy, promote feelings of fullness and reduce hunger.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking water before meals can help control portion sizes and prevent overeating.

Opt for Fiber-Rich Foods: Whole grains, vegetables, and fruits high in fiber take longer to digest, keeping you full for longer.

Reduce Simple Carbohydrates and Sugars: Simple carbs and sugars cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, leading to increased hunger.

Prioritize Sleep: Poor sleep disrupts hunger-regulating hormones, making it harder to control cravings.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can lead to overeating and weight gain.

The study’s findings indicate that moderate exercise can temporarily suppress appetite by altering key hormones. While more research is needed to refine the details—such as optimal workout duration and intensity—this insight adds to the growing body of evidence supporting exercise as a tool for appetite regulation and weight management.

For individuals looking to curb cravings and maintain a healthy weight, incorporating a well-balanced diet alongside regular exercise remains the most sustainable approach. Future studies focusing on larger populations and long-term effects could provide deeper insights into how exercise can be optimized for appetite control, making it an effective strategy in combating obesity.

Exercise alone is not a magic solution for weight loss, but its impact on appetite hormones presents a promising avenue for managing hunger and energy balance. As research continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly clear that integrating physical activity with mindful eating habits can play a vital role in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For years, people trying to lose weight have been told that slow and steady is the safest and most sustainable approach. But a new study is challenging that long-standing advice.

Researchers found that losing weight more quickly may actually lead to greater weight loss that can be maintained over time.

The findings, presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026, followed 284 adults with obesity, around 90% of whom were women. Researchers compared a rapid weight-loss method with a more gradual approach.

What Did The Study Find?

During the first 16 weeks, participants in the rapid weight-loss group followed a low-calorie diet that started below 1,000 calories a day and gradually increased to around 1,500 calories. The gradual-loss group consumed approximately 1,400 calories a day.

Those in the rapid-loss group lost an average of 12.9% of their body weight during the first 16 weeks, compared with 8.1% among those following the gradual approach. But the researchers were particularly interested in what happened after the initial weight-loss phase.

Both groups subsequently entered a 36-week weight-maintenance program, receiving regular support and guidance on maintaining healthy eating habits.

After one year, the rapid-loss group had still lost more weight overall, averaging 14.4% of their starting body weight, compared with 10.5% in the gradual-loss group.

Also read: Meniscus Tears: Why Runners & Athletes Shouldn't Ignore This Common Knee Injury

Does This Mean Fast Weight Loss Is Better?

The study challenges the idea that rapid weight loss automatically leads to weight regain. It does not mean people should drastically cut back calories or attempt crash diets.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr Rajiv Kovil, Diabetes & Obesity Specialist, S L Raheja Hospital, to understand which approach is truly sustainable for long-term weight loss.

He says, “Scientifically, this reinforces an important concept: the speed of initial weight loss and the sustainability of weight loss are not necessarily opposites. Larger early weight loss may provide metabolic benefits, improve mobility and motivation, and give patients a greater “weight-loss buffer” before biological pressures favouring regain become prominent.”

One of the most important details is that the rapid-loss programme was structured and professionally supervised, with consistent support after the initial weight-loss period.

He further explains, “This was rapid, medically structured weight loss—not unsupervised crash dieting. Participants received continued behavioural and weight-regain-prevention support. Moreover, the results are currently reported from a conference presentation rather than a fully peer-reviewed publication, and body-composition and energy-expenditure data were not reported.”

Dr Kovil goes on to say that truly sustainable weight loss should never revolve around the number of kilograms lost.

He said, “The message therefore is not “faster is always better.” It is that obesity treatment should move away from an arbitrary obsession with the rate of kilograms lost.”

Dr Marie Spreckley of the University of Cambridge said the study involved an intensive intervention with frequent professional support, meaning the results may not necessarily translate to unsupervised dieting in everyday life.

Dr Dimitrios Koutoukidis of the University of Oxford also cautioned that the study was based on limited data from a conference abstract and mostly involved women.

Also read: Walking Becomes Harder With Age Not Just Due To Weaker Muscles; Study Says Your Ankles May Be To Blame Too

Why Slow Weight Loss Has Been Recommended?

The traditional argument is that gradual weight loss is easier to maintain and may reduce the risk of losing muscle or encourage weight regain.

But experts say the new findings suggest the speed of weight loss itself may not be the main factor determining whether weight comes back. What may matter more is what happens after the weight comes off.

Dr Adam Collins of the University of Surrey noted that metabolic adaptation and reductions in lean mass appear to relate more closely to the total amount of weight lost than simply how quickly it was lost.

Dr Kovil concludes, “In obesity medicine, the real endpoint is not how slowly you lose weight—it is how safely you lose fat, preserve muscle and maintain the metabolic benefit. Sustainability is determined less by the speed of weight loss and more by the quality and continuity of long-term treatment.”

If there is something common to active individuals, then it is the habit of downplaying knee pain as "just a strain." Runners complete races despite feeling some discomfort, weekend football enthusiasts freeze their knees and return to the game, while fitness lovers believe that the pain will go away after a few days of rest.

Sometimes the pain fades away. Yet sometimes it remains, showing signs of a meniscus tear, one of the most common knee injuries among active individuals.

What Is A Meniscus Tear?

The meniscus is a semi lunar ‘C’ shaped fibrocartilage structure that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and the shin bone. The meniscus cushions the knee and stabilizes the joint every time the person runs, jumps, squats, or turns.

In case of awkward knee twisting (especially when the foot is firmly pressed to the ground), the meniscus can be torn. Such injury can be often found in sports such as football, basketball, tennis, and badminton, as well as among leisure runners.

Also read: Walking Becomes Harder With Age Not Just Due To Weaker Muscles; Study Says Your Ankles May Be To Blame Too

What Happens If You Keep Running On A Torn Meniscus?

Many people mistakenly believe that a meniscus tear is always accompanied by severe pain. In reality, many people will continue running or playing after the injury as the symptoms are manageable at first. Patients may experience swelling within the same day, pain when going up the stairs, or experiencing the knee catching or being unable to completely straighten. These are the red flags that should be addressed, and not ignored.

Disregarding any of these symptoms can be detrimental. Continuing to stress the damaged knee may lead to aggravating the tear and putting more strain on the adjacent cartilage, thus increasing chances of developing early osteoarthritis. The sooner the injury is diagnosed, the higher chances a person receives help with preserving the meniscus, which is extremely important for the knee function for many years.

Also read: What Is Zone 2 Cardio? The Workout Everyone Is Talking About

Does Every Meniscus Tear Need Surgery?

Treatment performed in each case is not identical. Minor tears may be treated with physiotherapy, modification of a person’s lifestyle, and specific exercises aimed at making the muscles supporting the knee stronger. Severe tears or ones that cause recurrent locking or instability of the joint require certain surgical intervention like arthroscopic repair or balancing.

Probably, the most disregarded part of the process of healing is rehabilitation. Pain can go away before the knee gets its strength back, and that is the reason for many athletes getting injured again. A systematic return to activity helps to promote optimal healing for the knee.

When Should Athletes Seek Medical Advice?

If you are someone who likes to run or play sport, knee pain should never be an issue that becomes accepted. Often your body can let you know when there is something wrong. Paying attention to those early signs and being quick to seek medical advice can mean the situation can be managed properly.

By Dr. Attique Vasdev, Vice Chairman, Orthopaedics, Medanta Gurugram

Walking may feel slower, harder and more tiring as we get older, but scientists say the reason could be more than simply losing muscle strength.

New research has found that ageing changes the way the ankle and surrounding muscles work during every step, causing the body to prioritise stability over walking efficiency. It may help older adults stay upright, but it also means walking requires more effort and produces less forward movement.

The study, led by researchers from Flinders University and the University of Canberra, analysed movement data from 107 healthy adults aged 26 to 86. The findings were published in Gait & Posture.

What Changes In The Body as You Age?

One of the key changes that happens in the body as we age are around the ankles. Researchers found that older adults are more likely to activate opposing muscles around the ankle at the same time, a phenomenon called co-contraction. This makes the ankle joint stiffer when the foot hits the ground.

That stiffness can provide greater stability, essentially helping the body feel more secure with every step. But it could have an adverse effect.

“As we get older, the body starts to favor stability over efficiency,” said lead author Dr Cody Lindsay, a sport and exercise technology expert at Flinders University. “That helps keep us upright, but it also makes walking more of an effort.”

Also read: What Is Zone 2 Cardio? The Workout Everyone Is Talking About

Walking Become Slower As We Age

The researchers also found that older participants generated less push-off power with each step. The push-off phase is the moment your foot pushes against the ground to propel your body forward.

When that push becomes weaker, the body travels less distance with each stride. This results in shorter steps, slower walking speeds and more fatigue.

The nervous system appears to be partly responsible for this change. Rather than maximising speed and energy efficiency, it adopts what researchers describe as a “safety-first” strategy that favours stability and control.

Associate Professor Maarten Immink, co-author of the study, said this may also make it harder for older adults to recover from trips or slips, potentially increasing the risk of falls.

Also read: One Bad Landing Can Change Everything: Avoid These Common Knee Injury Mistakes

The findings help explain why an older person may feel increasingly tired after walking a distance that once felt easy.

It may not simply be that their muscles have become weaker. The entire movement strategy changes as we age.

The body is effectively spending more muscular effort to maintain stability while getting less forward movement from each step. It reveals an important biological behaviour that surfaces due to aging.

This can also affect confidence and independence. Researchers say people may notice that they tire more quickly or feel less steady, especially while when walking on uneven surfaces.

Exercise May Help

The researchers say maintaining mobility may require more than traditional strength training. Exercises that challenge balance, coordination and lower-leg strength could help the body maintain better movement control as it ages.

Dr Lindsay recommends regular physical activity, balance exercises such as tai chi, lower-leg strengthening and activities that challenge coordination.

“Staying active is one of the most important things people can do,” he said, adding that consistent exercise could help people remain mobile and independent for longer.