**3. Results**

Participants' baseline characteristics are described in Table 1. No differences were observed among intervention groups for any variable.

Large negative correlations between diet compliance and TEI were observed in all intervention groups (*p* < 0.001). Moderate to large correlations between motivations to diet and to exercise were also observed in all groups (*p* < 0.05), except in the strength group (Table 2).

Analysis of variance showed that all intervention groups, similarly, decreased body weight (*F*(1,143) = 661.636, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.58), BMI (*F*(1,143) = 424.586, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.96) and body fat percentage (*F*(1,143) = 485.434, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.79) and increased lean body mass (*F*(1,143) = 484.113, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.78). Men had greater body weight and lean body mass and smaller body fat percentage than women before and after the intervention (*p* < 0.001). The remaining interactions and factors were not significant (Figure 2).

Moreover, gender-time interactions (*F*(1,137) = 4.783, *p* = 0.030, η<sup>2</sup> *<sup>P</sup>* = 0.034) and BMI category-time interactions (*F*(1,137) = 13.233, *p* < 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> *<sup>P</sup>* = 0.088) for TEI were observed. Men consumed more calories in both, pre- and post-intervention than women (differences: 615.6 kcal, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.72; 314.0 kcal, *p* = 0.002, ES = 0.66; respectively). Obese subjects showed greater TEI than overweight participants in pre- and post-intervention (differences: 685.6 kcal, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.81; 176.9 kcal, *p* = 0.029, ES = 0.36; respectively). However, no interactions were observed between intervention groups and time and all of them decreased energy intake (*F*(1,137) = 133.742, *p* < 0.001, ES = 1.06). The remaining interactions and factors were not significant. CHO and PRO intakes increased and fat intake decreased from preto post-intervention (CHO: *F*(1,137) = 65.652, *p* < 0.001, ES = 0.81; PRO: *F*(1,137) = 90.606, *p* < 0.001, ES = 1.02; fat: *F*(1,137) = 116.561, *p* < 0.001, ES = 1.16) without significant interactions with intervention groups, BMI category or gender (Figure 3). The remaining interactions and factors were not significant. Diet-related motivation showed a tendency to increase from pre to post-intervention (*F*(1,146) = 3.799, *p* = 0.053, ES = 0.14), without significant interactions with intervention groups, BMI category or gender. In relation to motivation to exercise, interactions between gender and time were observed (*F*(1,146) = 7.452, *p* = 0.007, η<sup>2</sup> *<sup>P</sup>* = 0.049), and only women increased their motivation after the intervention (pre: 17.6 ± 2.5, post: 18.3 ± 2.0, *p* = 0.034, ES = 0.31). There was a tendency of interactions between intervention group and time (*F*(3,146) = 2.440, *p* = 0.067, η<sup>2</sup> *<sup>P</sup>* = 0.048) and pairwise comparisons showed that only the PA group decreased motivation to exercise (*p* = 0.045, ES = 0.25). No interactions with BMI category were observed. The remaining interactions and factors were not significant (Figure 4).

When the sample was analyzed by daily steps categories (*n* = 91) similar results were observed. Anthropometric and body composition changes were in the same direction as observed for intervention groups, without differences among daily step categories: Body weight, BMI and body fat percentage decreased and lean body mass increased (*p* < 0.05). BMI category-time interactions were also observed for TEI, and obese individuals obtained greater values than overweight in the pre-intervention (difference: 765.4 kcal, *p* = 0.004, ES = 0.78). However, no interactions were observed between daily step categories and time and all of them decreased energy intake (*p* < 0.05). In addition, as observed earlier, CHO and PRO increased and fat decreased (*p* < 0.05). However, individuals who started the intervention program with more daily steps increased PRO compared to individuals who performed less than 7500 daily steps, independently of BMI category or gender (≥7500<10000: *p* = 0.011, ES = 0.69; ≥10000: *p* < 0.001, ES = 1.54). The observed tendency towards an increase in diet-related motivation in all intervention groups was, in this case, significant (*p* < 0.05) without interactions with daily steps' categories, BMI category or gender. Gender-time interaction was also found for motivation to exercise and only women increased their motivation after the intervention (pre: 17.8 ± 2.4, post: 18.8 ± 1.8, *p* = 0.011, ES = 0.47). The remaining interactions and factors were not significant (Table 3).


**Table 1.** Baseline characteristics.

Data are presented as mean ± SD. S: strength training group; E: endurance training group; SE: combined strength plus endurance training group; PA: physical activity recommendations group; PAL: physical activity level; METs: metabolic equivalents. § Chi-Square statistics.

**Table 2.** Pearson's correlations between changes in dietary variables, motivation and physical activity.


TEI: total energy intake; MVPA: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. \* *p* < 0.05; \*\* *p* < 0.001.

**Figure 2.** Anthropometric characteristics and body composition before and after the intervention. BMI: body mass index; S: strength training group; E: endurance training group; SE: combined strength plus endurance training group; PA: physical activity recommendations group.





 total energy intake; CHO: carbohydrate intake; PRO: protein intake; FAT: fat intake; T: time (pre-post); S: gender; BMI: body mass index category; C: daily steps' categories. \* *p* < 0.05;<0.001.

TEI:

\*\* *p*

**Figure 3.** Total energy intake and macronutrient percentages before and after the intervention. TEI: total energy intake; CHO: carbohydrate intake; PRO: protein intake; FAT: fat intake; S: strength training group; E: endurance training group; SE: combined strength plus endurance training group; PA: physical activity recommendations group.

**Figure 4.** Motivation to diet and exercise before and after the intervention. S: strength training group; E: endurance training group; SE: strength and endurance training group; PA: physical activity recommendations group.
