EVEN MODERATE AMOUNTS OF EXERCISE CAN PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN

Moderate amounts of exercise, such as walking 12 miles per week, may help prevent weight gain and can promote weight loss in non-dieting individuals, researchers say.

Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 indicate that an estimated 61 percent of US adults are either overweight or obese, defined as having a body mass index of 25 or more, according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity is associated with a higher risk for several health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.

Researches investigated the effects of different amounts and intensities of exercise on weight. The results are published in the Jan. 12, 2004, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that there was a clear relationship between the amount of physical activity and amount of weight loss, with the most weight loss seen in the high amount/vigorous intensity group, and the least in the low amount/moderate intensity group.

"These findings strongly suggest that, absent changes in diet, a higher amount of activity is necessary for weight maintenance and that positive caloric imbalance observed in the overweight control group was small and can be reversed by a modest amount of exercise. Most individuals can accomplish this by walking 30 minutes ever day, " the authors wrote.

Source: FDA Consumer; 38(2); March-April 2004;p.5.

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