• leptin
• exercise
• diet
• eating behaviour
• obesity
• weight

Initial information on the newly discovered hormone leptin suggests a primary role in energy balance and body weight maintenance. Recent published information suggests that leptin has an impact on several physiological systems, including neuroendocrine and immune function, as well as being involved in growth and development. Although the role of leptin in these areas is only partially understood at best, even less is known about the effect of exercise on plasma leptin concentrations. Further, if exercise has an impact on leptin concentration, how then does exercise affect overall leptin function? This article considers leptin function and the impact that exercise has on blood leptin concentrations, and suggests future directions for research on exercise and leptin.

Leptin, a hormone synthesized primarily by adipose tissue and secreted into the circulatory system, is a purported satiety factor with receptors in the hypothalamus. Human leptin is a relatively small protein (16 kDa) which shares a high degree of homology with other species such as mice (84%) and rats (83%). Although rare in humans, leptin mutations in mice result in leptin deficiency and lead to early onset obesity, hyperphagia, and hypothalamic hypogonadism. Unlike leptin deficient mice, humans deficient in leptin do not suffer from hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypercorticism, or hypothermia. Although regulation of leptin synthesis and release is poorly understood, a distinct circadian pattern for plasma leptin concentrations has been observed and is similar to that of prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone.¹ Conflicting …