I think a great deal of the confusion the article is conveying is not so much about the effect of exercise on metabolism and body composition, but rather its ef

I think a great deal of the confusion the article is conveying is not so much about the effect of exercise on metabolism and body composition, but rather its effect on appetite. One of the reasons that we're starting to hear obesity specialists back away from advocating the "moderate-vigorous exercise" as part of a weight-loss plan is because of the things this article brings up: in some people (mostly women), starting an exercise regime spikes appetite and makes it extremely difficult to stick to a calorie-controlled/restricted diet. Thus, even if the RMR increases, it seems the body is insisting calorie intake increase as well -- and I think that's where the confusion they are portraying is mostly stemming from: is it responsible to advocate moderate-vigorous exercise to the obese as part of a weight-loss plan, or is that setting them up to fail? (It seems clear that exercise as part of a weight-maintenance program tends to be beneficial.)