The relation between exercise and obesity is examined in terms of etiology, physiology, and treatment outcome. It was determined that the role of activity level and caloric intake in the development of obesity is currently unclear because of the methodological limitations of past research. Salutary physiological effects of exercise on caloric intake, metabolic rate, and body composition are noted, and it is concluded that these changes may significantly affect energy output. Methodological problems with past exercise treatment studies include failure (a) to use body composition measures as dependent variables, (b) to report specifics regarding exercise tasks and participation rates, and (c) to divide subjects into homogeneous populations based on qualitative aspects of body fat type. Specific treatment guidelines, based primarily on the physiological data, are provided, and implications for future research are discussed.

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Eating rates (bites per interval) and other meal behaviors (number of chews, sips, talks with a neighbor, and chews per bite) were observed for 30 normal and 30 overweight white preschool children in their school cafeterias. Children were classified according to weight (overweight or normal), age (1 1/2--2 years, 3--4 years, or 5--6 years) and sex. Analysis of variance revealed that overweight preschool children demonstrated a somewhat higher rate of distinctly fewer chews per bite. Boys showed increasing chew rates with increasing age. Talk rates also increased with age but were unrelated to sex or weight status. Sip rates were not significantly associated with age, sex, or weight status. These results support the hypothesis that overweight persons are characterized by an increased eating rate and show that it is apparent even around the time of first self-feeding.

Eating rates (bites per interval) and other meal behaviors (number of chews, sips, talks with a neighbor, and chews per bite) were observed for 30 normal and 30 overweight white preschool children in their school cafeterias. Children were classified according to weight (overweight or normal), age (1 1/2--2 years, 3--4 years, or 5--6 years) and sex. Analysis of variance revealed that overweight preschool children demonstrated a somewhat higher rate of distinctly fewer chews per bite. Boys showed increasing chew rates with increasing age. Talk rates also increased with age but were unrelated to sex or weight status. Sip rates were not significantly associated with age, sex, or weight status. These results support the hypothesis that overweight persons are characterized by an increased eating rate and show that it is apparent even around the time of first self-feeding.