MedicineNet.com
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A

Obesity (Weight Loss) (cont.)

What is the role of physical activity and exercise in obesity?

The National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES I) showed that people who engage in limited recreational activity were more likely to gain weight than more active people. Other studies have shown that people who engage in regular strenuous activity gain less weight than sedentary people.

Physical activity and exercise help burn calories. The amount of calories burned depends on the type, duration, and intensity of the activity. It also depends on the weight of the person. A 200-pound person will burn more calories running 1 mile than a 120-pound person, because the work of carrying those extra 80 pounds must be factored in. But exercise as a treatment for obesity is most effective when combined with a diet and weight-loss program. Exercise alone without dietary changes will have a limited effect on weight because one has to exercise a lot to simply lose one pound. However regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight for the long term. Another advantage of regular exercise as part of a weight-loss program is a greater loss of body fat versus lean muscle compared to those who diet alone.

Other benefits of exercise include:

  • Improved blood sugar control and increased insulin sensitivity (decreased insulin resistance)

  • Reduced triglyceride levels and increased "good" HDL cholesterol levels

  • Lowered blood pressure

  • A reduction in abdominal fat

  • Reduced risk of heart disease.

Remember, these health benefits can occur independently (with or without) achieving weight loss. Before starting an exercise program, you should talk to your doctor about the type and intensity of the exercise program.

General exercise recommendations:

  • 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 to 7 days a week, preferably daily. Types of exercise include walking, stationary bicycling, walking or jogging on a treadmill, stair climbing machines, jogging, and swimming.

  • Exercise can be broken up into smaller 10-minute sessions.

  • Start slowly and progress gradually to avoid injury, excessive soreness, or fatigue. Over time, build up to 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.

  • People are never too old to start exercising. Even frail, elderly individuals (ages 70-90 years) can improve their strength and balance.

Exercise precautions:

The following people should consult a doctor before vigorous exercise:

  • Men over age 40 or women over age 50.

  • Individuals with heart or lung disease, asthma, arthritis, or osteoporosis.

  • Individuals who experience chest pressure or pain with exertion, or who develop fatigue or shortness of breath easily.

  • Individuals with conditions or lifestyle factors that increase their risk of developing coronary heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol, or having family members with early onset heart attacks and coronary heart disease.

  • A patient who is obese


Next: What is the role of diet in the treatment of obesity? »

Obesity - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What kinds of treatments have been effective for your obesity?

Anonymously share your comment to help others. Patient Discussions FAQs
See 5 Viewer Comments

Submit Your Comment


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • phentermine, Adipex-P, Fastin, Obenix, Oby-Trim - Explains the medication phentermine (Adipex-P, Fastin, Obenix, Oby-Trim) used as a short- term drug along with diet and behavior modification to treat obesity. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
  • Tummy Tuck ( Abdominoplasty) - Abdominoplasty, (tummy tuck) is one of the more common cosmetic surgeries. This procedure flattens your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall.
  • High Blood Pressure - Learn about high blood pressure symptoms like headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, blurred vision and more. Causes, and normal blood pressure information is included.

Latest Medical News


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.




Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Pinpoint Your Symptoms - Start Now Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Symptoms & Signs by Female Body Region Symptoms & Signs by Male Body Region

Topics Related to Obesity


Obesity (Weight Loss)
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Breakfast is BestBreakfast is Best
Whether you are trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, breakfast should be an important part of your strategy See more WebMD Videos »













Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.