Exercise and diet are two major interventions that control obesity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training during the ketogenic diet (HIIT-KD) and moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training during the ketogenic diet (MICT-KD) on the appetite, appetite hormones, and body composition in overweight and obese females.

In this semi-experimental research, 36 overweight or obese inactive women participated in this study and were randomly divided into three groups, including ketogenic diet (KD), MICT-KD, and HIIT-KD. The training groups exercised six weeks and three sessions per week interval running with 85-95 % HRmax or continuous running with 60-70 % HRmax along with following KD. Fasting blood sampling was performed before and after the intervention to measure hormones. Body composition was measured by the electrical bioimpedance method, and appetite was measured by visual analog scale. The mixed two-way ANOVA test, Bonferroni’s test, and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis.

No significant differences were observed in the serum level of leptin, acylated ghrelin, and leptin to ghrelin ratio between the three groups (P>0.05). The feeling of hunger, satiety, and fullness did not differ significantly between the three groups (P>0.05). The Prospective food consumption in the MICT-KD group showed a significant decrease compared to other groups (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in body weight, body fat percent, body water, and muscle volume between the groups (P>0.05).

There were no differences between the two types of exercise during a ketogenic diet on appetite hormones and body composition in overweight or obese women. Furthermore, both types of exercise during a ketogenic diet had no superiority over the ketogenic diet alone. Prospective food consumption was reduced in the MICT-KD group compared to the other two groups.