eMedicineLive

It is necessary to understand the various neuro-cognitive mechanisms which govern our lifestyle behaviors, in order to develop effective weight loss programs. In their constant endeavor to unearth these mechanisms, researchers have found that physical activity and eating habits are bounded by a common neuro-cognitive pathway. 

 

Researchers have found that physical activity leads to an improvement in diet quality. An increase in physical exercise leads to a tendency to eat a healthy diet. People exercising regularly are better at perceiving the symptoms of fullness of stomach. This helps in a better control of appetite. Exercise also modifies a person’s response to food stimuli. According to Dr. Alonso Alonso, exercise influences both the immediate metabolic response, as well as the long term behavioral response of a person towards food. 

 

Scientists have often pondered whether it is better to start exercising and then start a diet or vice versa, for weight loss. However, the current study reveals that both exercising as well as eating a healthy diet, go hand in hand. In fact, people who exercise are self motivated to eat a healthy diet. Obesity management is better and more successful when exercise is added to the diet controlled weight loss program.

 

Researchers have observed that there are changes in the structure of the brain and its functioning when people exercise regularly. There is an increase in the prefrontal connections and in the grey matter. This results in an improvement in the brain’s executive functions. One of the executive functions of brain is the inhibitory control of appetite. Thus, we see that an improvement is brain’s executive functions through exercise can lead to a decrease in appetite and help in weight loss. Inhibitory control of appetite helps a person to forego the temptations of food and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

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