Exercise: Effects on weight are modest

Exercise alone causes only modest weight loss concludes a recent review. Average weight loss was only 2 to 4 pounds greater in the exercise groups than the no treatment control groups in six of ten randomized studies that were analyzed.

11 of 13 studies did NOT find diet-plus-exercise caused significantly greater weight loss than diet alone

Only two of thirteen studies found diet-plus-exercise caused significantly greater weight loss than diet alone, although most of the studies pointed in this direction.

To say this another way, 11 out of 13 studies did NOT find that diet-plus-exercise caused significantly greater weight loss than diet alone.

6 studies lasted at least one-year

Six studies were identified that lasted for at least one-year.

Weight maintenance significantly better in only 2 of 6 studies

Long-term weight maintenance was significantly better in only two of the six studies, but all of the studies tended to favor diet-plus-exercise.

Conclusion: Benefits of exercise on weight loss are modest

“Randomized trials consistently show benefits of exercise for weight loss, but the effects are often modest,” the review concluded.

Comment: Exercise is probably one of the best things you can do for your health

This is not meant to discourage you from exercising.

The research suggests to me that exercise is probably one of the best things you can do for your health.

It lowers the risk of breast cancer in women and probably other cancers, probably because it lowers insulin levels which are associated with an increased risk of numerous cancers.

Exercise also reduces the risk of a heart attack and strengthens bones.

However, it also seems to me that most people, including the media, seem to overestimate the effect of exercise on weight loss.

The media will often report on a weight loss study and then claim, “See, it just goes to show that losing weight is simply a matter of diet and exercise.”

Well, not really. I think diet is 10-times more important than exercise when it comes to body weight.

REFERENCE

Wing RR. Physical activity in the treatment of the adulthood overweight and obesity: current evidence and research issues. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999 Nov;31(11 Suppl):S547-52.

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• Exercise