ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the importance of interactions between nutrition and physical activity in the context of health and physical activity performance. Firstly, the relevance of optimal nutrition for physical activity performance is reviewed in the context of macronutrient metabolism and dietary guidelines for the general public and for physically active individuals. Common methods for assessing dietary intake that may be important when determining potential nutritional inadequacies in an individual are then reviewed. This is followed by a comprehensive discussion of the influence that short-term physical activity engagement has on control of appetite and energy intake, and the impact of regular exercise on energy balance and body weight. The final sections of this chapter consider the interactions between physical activity and eating behaviour. Here, the associations between physical activity and dietary intake are discussed and explained with reference to psychological constructs. Finally, the role that physical activity may play in adoption of health risk behaviours is discussed with a particular focus on the development of eating disorders and compulsive exercise.