Appetite-Control and Eating-Behavior Traits Might Not Be Impacted by a Single Weight-Cycling Episode in Weight-Cycling Athletes: Results of the Wave Study

Purpose: The impact of weight cycling (WC)—successive weight loss (WL) and weight regain (WG)—on athlete performance is well documented, but effects on appetite are not. This study assessed the impact of a WC episode on dietary and appetitive profiles in athletes, considering sex and sport type. Methods: Athletes (28 male, 20 female) from combat (n = 23), strength (n = 12), and endurance (n = 13) sports participated in 3 conditions during a WC episode (baseline, WL, WG). Measurements included body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), energy intake (48-h food record), appetite (visual analog scale), dietary profile (questionnaires), and food reward (computer task). Results: Overall, athletes lost 4.4% (2.3%) of their body weight and regained 4.5% (2.9%) (P < .001). Energy intake decreased during WL (P < .001) with a higher protein intake (% of energy intake) before returning to baseline in WG (P > .05). WL increased hunger, prospective food consumption, and desire to eat compared with the baseline condition, but these changes were not seen in WG. Liking and wanting for fat and sweet foods were higher during WL and remained elevated in WG (P < .05). No eating disorders were found during the WC episode, but combat-sport athletes and females had a higher binge-eating risk than others, independent of the condition. Conclusions: Moderate WC episodes do not seem to impair appetite responses in athletes experienced with WC, likely due to their maintaining high physical activity levels. However, their long-term eating-behavior traits, especially in combat and female athletes, seem negatively affected. Practitioners should consider the long-term impacts of these WC practices on nutritional health.