Can Cold Exposure Alter Energy Dynamics in Obesity?
In individuals with obesity, 90 minutes of cold exposure increases energy expenditure by 18% but also raises energy intake and causes significant discomfort. METHODOLOGY: There is a growing interest in using cold exposure as a potential weight loss strategy via its ability to increase energy expenditure and create a negative energy balance.
Researchers assessed the effects of moderate cold exposure on energy expenditure, energy intake, and appetite regulation in 29 women (mean age, 27.6 years) and 18 men (mean age, 31.5 years) with obesity who engaged in fewer than two 30-minute continuous exercise sessions per week.
Participants underwent two 90-minute sessions — one at 10 °C and one at ambient temperature — in a random order, separated by a minimum 2-week washout. A single dose of cold exposure involved wearing a liquid-conditioned suit with circulating diluted antifreeze.
Researchers measured thermal comfort/sensation, subjective appetite (via visual analog scales), energy expenditure (via indirect calorimetry), and energy intake with a validated food menu that calculated total food consumed; blood samples were analyzed for appetite-related peptides. TAKEAWAY: Compared with exposure to ambient temperature, cold exposure over 90 minutes led to: An 18% increase in energy expenditure primarily due to increased glucose oxidation ( P < .001) Significantly reduced average skin temperature (33.0 °C vs 24.5 °C, respectively; P < .001) and decreased thermal comfort Increased energy intake during lunch following intervention ( P = .008), especially from carbohydrate and protein consumption ( P = .007 and P = .014, respectively), although intake decreased for the rest of the day ( P = .049) Decreased leptin level ( P = .004) and increased level of total glucagon-like peptide 1 ( P = .003)
No significant changes were observed in subjective appetite, such as hunger, desire to eat, and fullness. IN PRACTICE:
'The negligeable impact on [energy expenditure], as well as the overall absence of effects on [energy intake], seem to make [cold exposure] an unlikely candidate for improved body weight control in individuals with obesity,' the authors wrote. SOURCE:
The study was led by Kurt McInnis, University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It was published online in International Journal of Obesity . LIMITATIONS:
Energy expenditure was measured in a postprandial state, potentially masking the true effects compared with fasting conditions. The study used only a single dose of cold exposure, so the effects of repeated exposure remain unknown. Core body temperature was not measured. DISCLOSURES:
This study was supported by a grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research. One author disclosed receiving support from Bausch Health Canada.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
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Medscape Medical News © 2025 WebMD, LLC
Cite this: Can Cold Exposure Alter Energy Dynamics in Obesity? - Medscape - June 05, 2025.
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