ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that there needs to be a much greater understanding of individual human variability — in children and adults — before the appropriate health messages can be effective. Importantly, physical activity has the potential to be a successful method of obesity prevention, but only if there is compliance with the prescribed amount, together with judicious control over food choice that involves selection of low- to medium-energy dense diet. There are many examples in the literature of food-induced reductions in energy intake. It is often believed that physical activity is a poor strategy for losing weight since the energy expended will drive up hunger and food intake to compensate for the energy deficit incurred. Therefore, physical activity seems to enhance the sensitivity of satiety signals and improves appetite control through better meal to meal regulation. An increase in physical activity does not automatically protect against inappropriate food choice.
