Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis
ObjectiveGhrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone,” is a pivotal hormone in controlling appetite, and it is the only known gastrointestinal hormone that promotes food intake, contributing to the regulation of energy balance and body weight. However, studies on the long-term effects of exercise on...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1518143/full |
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| author | Xianyang Xin Hai Wang Yongqing Guo Jun Xie |
| author_facet | Xianyang Xin Hai Wang Yongqing Guo Jun Xie |
| author_sort | Xianyang Xin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveGhrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone,” is a pivotal hormone in controlling appetite, and it is the only known gastrointestinal hormone that promotes food intake, contributing to the regulation of energy balance and body weight. However, studies on the long-term effects of exercise on ghrelin levels in obese populations have shown conflicting results. This study aims to summarize RCT experiments exploring changes in ghrelin levels following long-term exercise in obese or overweight individuals through meta-analysis.MethodsThis study employed meta-analytical techniques, searching databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE, to gather research on exercise and ghrelin. The quality of the studies was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook standards, and data analysis for ghrelin, BMI, and weight was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software. A total of 13 interventions involving 944 participants were included to systematically investigate the regulatory effects of exercise on ghrelin levels in obese and overweight individuals. Meta-analytical results were calculated using standardized mean differences (SMDs).ResultsExercise interventions significantly increased ghrelin levels (SMD =1.16, 95% CI = 0.52 to 1.80, p < 0.0001), with high inter-study heterogeneity (I2 = 90%). Subgroup analysis suggested that RT and AE + RT were more effective than AE. For BMI, exercise led to a significant reduction (SMD = −0.43, 95% CI = −0.69 to −0.16, p = 0.002), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 21%). Similarly, exercise significantly reduced weight (SMD = −0.54, 95% CI = −0.98 to −0.11, p = 0.01), though with high heterogeneity (I2 = 75%). These results suggest exercise effectively improves ghrelin levels, BMI, and weight.ConclusionProlonged exercise interventions demonstrated a statistically significant effect on ghrelin levels. This indicates that exercise interventions can elevate ghrelin levels, which may be associated with reductions in BMI and weight.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42024588259. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b3685d8aec614979bf9938b3dda15d8d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-b3685d8aec614979bf9938b3dda15d8d2025-01-23T05:10:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-01-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15181431518143Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysisXianyang XinHai WangYongqing GuoJun XieObjectiveGhrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone,” is a pivotal hormone in controlling appetite, and it is the only known gastrointestinal hormone that promotes food intake, contributing to the regulation of energy balance and body weight. However, studies on the long-term effects of exercise on ghrelin levels in obese populations have shown conflicting results. This study aims to summarize RCT experiments exploring changes in ghrelin levels following long-term exercise in obese or overweight individuals through meta-analysis.MethodsThis study employed meta-analytical techniques, searching databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE, to gather research on exercise and ghrelin. The quality of the studies was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook standards, and data analysis for ghrelin, BMI, and weight was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software. A total of 13 interventions involving 944 participants were included to systematically investigate the regulatory effects of exercise on ghrelin levels in obese and overweight individuals. Meta-analytical results were calculated using standardized mean differences (SMDs).ResultsExercise interventions significantly increased ghrelin levels (SMD =1.16, 95% CI = 0.52 to 1.80, p < 0.0001), with high inter-study heterogeneity (I2 = 90%). Subgroup analysis suggested that RT and AE + RT were more effective than AE. For BMI, exercise led to a significant reduction (SMD = −0.43, 95% CI = −0.69 to −0.16, p = 0.002), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 21%). Similarly, exercise significantly reduced weight (SMD = −0.54, 95% CI = −0.98 to −0.11, p = 0.01), though with high heterogeneity (I2 = 75%). These results suggest exercise effectively improves ghrelin levels, BMI, and weight.ConclusionProlonged exercise interventions demonstrated a statistically significant effect on ghrelin levels. This indicates that exercise interventions can elevate ghrelin levels, which may be associated with reductions in BMI and weight.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42024588259.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1518143/fullghrelinexerciseoverweight and obeselong-term exerciseappetitemeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Xianyang Xin Hai Wang Yongqing Guo Jun Xie Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Nutrition ghrelin exercise overweight and obese long-term exercise appetite meta-analysis |
| title | Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Effect of long-term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effect of long term exercise on circulating ghrelin in overweight and obese individuals a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | ghrelin exercise overweight and obese long-term exercise appetite meta-analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1518143/full |
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