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Sex Differences in Energy Balance and Weight Control

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Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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Abstract

Energy balance is a complex process influenced by many factors including sex, age, acute bouts of exercise and chronic training, genetic factors, as well as numerous hormones. This chapter describes sex-related differences in weight control considering the roles of leptin, insulin, ghrelin, catecholamines, cortisol, estrogen, and androgens. Their impact on appetite, metabolism, and body fat distribution is also described, and sex differences are discussed. Notable sex differences in energy balance include the amount and distribution of body fat as women generally have greater fat mass and store greater amounts of fat subcutaneously compared to men who store more fat viscerally. Women also have a more difficult time achieving negative caloric balance after exercise as the post-exercise appetite suppression is less than men. Hormonal factors supporting the conservation of mass for reproduction in females are also proposed in this chapter. Finally, sex differences in hormone levels and their impact on fuel metabolism during rest and exercise are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Kristin S. Ondrak

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  1. Kristin S. Ondrak
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Correspondence to Kristin S. Ondrak .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anthony C. Hackney

  2. Heidi Rothberg Sport Medicine Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Naama W. Constantini

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Ondrak, K.S. (2020). Sex Differences in Energy Balance and Weight Control. In: Hackney, A., Constantini, N. (eds) Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_10

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-33375-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-33376-8

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