Energy Expenditure & Activity During & After Exercise-Induced Weight Loss

The primary aim of this proposed study is to determine how total daily activity thermogenesis (TDAT) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) are regulated in obese humans attempting to lose weight and maintain weight loss through exercise. Two exercise interventions will be compared; a structured aerobic exercise program and a walking program. exercise activity thermogenesis (EAT) will be verified, and non-exercise physical activity (NEAT), total daily activity thermogenesis (TDAT), and TDEE will be measured using state-of-the-art technologies. Subjects will be studied during a 6 month intervention period and then during a 6 month follow-up period. It is hypothesized that the walking program will have more favorable effects on TDAT and TDEE during both the intervention and follow-up periods. If the investigators hypotheses are correct, then data from the proposed study could be used to improve the effectiveness of exercise-based weight loss and weight loss maintenance programs.