Investigations of the impact of physical activity on appetite control have the potential to throw
light on the understanding of energy balance and therefore, upon body weight regulation
and the development of obesity. Given the complexity of the landscape influencing weight
regulation, research strategies should reflect this complexity. We have developed a research
approach based on the concept of the psychobiological system (multi-level measurement
and analysis) and an experimental platform that respects the operations of an adaptive …

Background For several years both research and theorising in the area of energy balance
(EB) have been dominated by the issue of obesity. The so-called obesity epidemic has
influenced funding for research as well as strategic health objectives set by the various
governments. Underlying much thinking is the general view that obesity (weight gain) is a
condition arising from a mismatch between energy expenditure (EE) and energy consumed.
However, the neat simplicity of this statement takes on a different meaning when seen …