Effect of 8-week aerobic training on lipid profile, PYY3-36, and cortisol levels among obese women

Limited energy intake with physical activity is effective to reduce health problems associated with obesity. It has been shown that PYY3-36 level increased after intense exercise. This study investigated effect of exercise therapy on appetite suppression and weight loss among obese and/or overweight women.

There was a quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design, two groups (control-exercise) study. Study population was overweight or obese women with 20-34 years old and body mass index 27-34 kg/m2. 13 women were randomly assigned in 2 groups (exercise group with 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training (n=7) and control group (n=6)). Weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, lipid profile, cortisol and PYY3-36 were measured at baseline and end of the study.

In baseline of study, there was no significant difference across the groups in factors mean (P>0.05).In control group, after 8 weeks, there was no significant difference in variables.(P>0.05) However, In exercise group significant decrease was observed in BMI, WHR, PYY3-36, TG, CHOLESTROL(TC) and LDL, compared to control group (P<0.05).

Aerobic exercise within the 80% of heart rate reserve is beneficial in lipid profile, appetite management and modified anthropometric factors. These studies demonstrate that a cortisol change is not along with PYY3-36 changes. We suggest the longer exercise training for this purpose.