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Physical Activity Prescription Results in Modest
Weight Loss even Without Dietary Energy Restriction
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22 September 2005
A study published in the January 12, 2004 Archives of Internal
Medicine found that physical activity in previously sedentary
adults led to weight loss even when they were not limiting
energy content of their diet, and had been encouraged not to
lose weight. Middle-aged, overweight men and women were divided
into four groups of about 30 and studied for three years. |
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Groups were advised to engage in low amounts of moderate intensity
exercise, low amount at vigorous intensity, high amount at vigorous
intensity, or remain sedentary. Controls gained weight and body fat
while all three exercise groups lost both weight and fat. The
participants took two to three months to work up to their assigned
level of activity. The lowest amount of activity was equal to
walking for 30 minutes daily. This led to a 4.4 pound (2.0 kg)
weight loss, which was statistically significant. Given that the
participants did not diet and were encouraged to maintain weight,
this is a very positive result. Both longer duration and greater
intensity of exercise led to more weight and fat loss. This is the
first controlled study to report on this.
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