Resistance Training and Appetite Regulation

Aim 1: To determine if RT impacts neuronal function associated with food intake behavior in a manner favoring reduced EI in overweight/obese adults. Hypothesis: Compared to pre, post-RT fMRI measures will demonstrate ↓ neuronal responses to food cues in the insula, prefrontal cortex, and hypothalamus, brain regions implicated in reward, impulsivity, motivation, and regulation of ingestive behaviors. These changes will be associated with ad libitum EI. Aim 2: To determine if RT impacts appetite-related peptides, ratings, and food intake behaviors in a manner favoring reduced EI in overweight/obese adults. Hypothesis: Compared to pre, post-RT measures will show changes in appetite-related peptides, ratings (↓ hunger ↑ satiety), and behaviors (↓food-related cravings \& impulsivity, ↑ self-efficacy) consistent with EI reduction. Changes in appetite regulation indices will be associated with changes in relevant brain networks (Aim 1). These changes will also be associated with ↓ ad libitum EI. Exploratory Aim: To determine if RT impacts neuronal function and appetite-related peptides and behaviors in a manner favoring ↓ EI in Non-Compensators (top tertile of fat mass loss) as compared to Compensators (bottom tertile of fat mass loss). Hypothesis: Compared to Compensators, Non-Compensators will show ↓ neuronal responses to food cues and default network, and changes in appetite-related peptides, ratings, and behaviors consistent with ↓ EI.