You’d be forgiven for asking the above question in the last few weeks, considering the plethora of reports in the media that seem to be casting shame on the idea of physical activity and anyone who tries exercise as a method of weight loss.
Well, well caught on.
Registered nutritionists, dietitians and anyone else experienced with working with overweight and obese patients will be more than familiar with research that highlights that physical activity alone isn’t that effective for weight loss. Dietary interventions are the first-line when helping someone to lose weight.
However, what a lot of the media are regretfully missing is the important role exercise still has to play in health and even in weight loss maintenance.
Here are some other expert reactions to the media headlines last week¹:
“What exercise (increased activity) does, in association with appropriate dietary intervention, is to promote weight loss maintenance once weight has been lost, but it is a poor contributory factor to promoting weight loss.” Prof. Iain Broom
“In addition to burning up a modest calorie load, exercise also improves mood, so reducing your urge to achieve the same feeling with a calorie-laden bar of chocolate.” Dietitian, Catherine Collins
“…the authors fail to note that weight loss programmes which combine diet and physical activity are the most successful route to weight loss in both the short (3-6 months) and medium term (12 months).” Prof. Susan Jebb
Importantly, what the media has also failed to understand is the impact that exercise has on our overall health. In fact, it’s medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have²:
- up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
- up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
- up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
- a 30% lower risk of early death
- up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
- up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
- a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
- up to a 30% lower risk of depression
- up to a 30% lower risk of dementia
Other reported health benefits of physical activity (reported by my clients, regularly) include:
- Improved mood
- Improved sleep
- Improved body shape and tone
- Improved motivation
- Reduced food cravings
- Improved skin health
So let’s not berate physical activity and let’s make it clear that physical activity still has a role to play in helping people maintain a healthy weight as well as in boosting health and reducing risk of disease!
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