Age and physical activity status effects on appetite and mood state in older humans

Abstract

This study examined the influences of age and chronic physical activity status on appetite and mood state. Groups of younger inactive, younger active, older inactive, and older active men and women completed questionnaires each waking hour, rating appetite and mood state for 1 day. Maximal oxygen consumption was 20% lower in older than in younger (p < 0.001) subjects, and 32% lower in inactive than in active (p < 0.001) subjects. Mean hunger (older, 4 +/- 1; younger, 5 +/- 1 arbitrary units (AU); p < 0.01) and desire to eat (older, 3 +/- 1; younger, 4 +/- 1 AU; p < 0.01) were lower in older than in younger subjects. Nadir arousal was higher for the active subjects (active, 3 +/- 1; inactive, 2 +/- 1 AU; p < 0.05). Nadir arousal, nadir pleasantness, and mean pleasantness were higher for the older subjects (p < 0.05). Physical activity status does not influence appetite or the age-associated declines in hunger or desire to eat. The increased nadir arousal of the physically active and older groups is consistent with these subjects experiencing less extreme sleepiness.

FIGURE 1

Hourly average feelings of (A) hunger and (B) desire to eat for each group of subjects. Values are mean±SEM. ^*Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for average values, p<0.05.

FIGURE 1

Hourly average feelings of (A) hunger and (B) desire to eat for each group of subjects. Values are mean±SEM. ^*Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for average values, p<0.05.

FIGURE 2

(A) Daily (▲) peak, (■) average, and (●) nadir arousal for each group of subjects. Activity status and age affect nadir arousal. The minimum arousal state was higher for the physically active subjects (independent of age, p<0.05) and for the older subjects (independent of physical activity status, p<0.01). For each group of subjects, hourly average feelings of (B) arousal and (C) pleasantness are shown. Average arousal was not affected by age or activity, but average pleasure was higher in the older subjects (independent of physical activity status, p<0.05). Values are mean±SEM. ^*Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for nadir value, p<0.01. ^†Activity effect (younger and older subjects combined) for nadir value, p<0.05. ^‡Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for average values, p<0.05.

FIGURE 2

(A) Daily (▲) peak, (■) average, and (●) nadir arousal for each group of subjects. Activity status and age affect nadir arousal. The minimum arousal state was higher for the physically active subjects (independent of age, p<0.05) and for the older subjects (independent of physical activity status, p<0.01). For each group of subjects, hourly average feelings of (B) arousal and (C) pleasantness are shown. Average arousal was not affected by age or activity, but average pleasure was higher in the older subjects (independent of physical activity status, p<0.05). Values are mean±SEM. ^*Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for nadir value, p<0.01. ^†Activity effect (younger and older subjects combined) for nadir value, p<0.05. ^‡Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for average values, p<0.05.

FIGURE 2

(A) Daily (▲) peak, (■) average, and (●) nadir arousal for each group of subjects. Activity status and age affect nadir arousal. The minimum arousal state was higher for the physically active subjects (independent of age, p<0.05) and for the older subjects (independent of physical activity status, p<0.01). For each group of subjects, hourly average feelings of (B) arousal and (C) pleasantness are shown. Average arousal was not affected by age or activity, but average pleasure was higher in the older subjects (independent of physical activity status, p<0.05). Values are mean±SEM. ^*Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for nadir value, p<0.01. ^†Activity effect (younger and older subjects combined) for nadir value, p<0.05. ^‡Age effect (active and inactive subjects combined) for average values, p<0.05.