Does Exercise Really Help in Losing Weight?

weight loss news According to the news released by ScienceDaily on October 1, 2007, researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have come to the conclusion that conventional weight-loss measures, such as a popular focus on exercise, may not work well for all dieters.

Behavioural scientist Dr. Neil King, who works at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, says that the role of exercise in weight loss programs may be largely exaggerated, and that the emphasise on an increased physical activity often does not help overweight people lose excess pounds. Dr. Neil King is the head of the research team and the lead author of a weight loss study, which was conducted by QUT together with the UK University of Leeds and published in the International Journal of Obesity. In accordance with the results of this unique, evidence-based, study, overweight people who do the same amount of exercise supervised by professional trainers, lose different amount of weight, which is often negligible.

The research looked at the effects and variability of exercise-induced weight loss in 35 overweight and obese participants from the UK, who were asked to undertake a supervised exercise program that lasted 12 weeks. Each individually-tailored fitness session was designed to help the participants burn additional 500 calories daily. The effects of the training program on the patients’ eating behaviour and weight loss were closely monitored by the researchers. The results clearly showed that people who exercise more also tend to eat more to compensate for the lost calories. As Dr. King pointed out, this “compensatory response” is a body’s protective mechanism, an inborn biological drive, which naturally increases the hunger and the intake of food in people who increase their energy expenditure. In addition, some individuals may also eat more after visiting a gym as they feel a psychological need to “reward themselves” for their efforts. As the result, in many cases, desirable weight loss simply cannot be achieved.

The study showed that each individual’s weight loss program should be designed specifically for that unique person and take into consideration his particular behavioural patterns, compensatory responses, physiological and metabolic peculiarities, and a whole range of other important factors. For many overweight or obese people, the weight management strategy of just increasing an exercise level without restricting the input of dietary calories simply does not work. Dr. King says that, in curing obesity, people should be treated as individuals.

This new study was the first ever undertaken evidence-based research that looked at the effects of supervised and monitored exercise on weight loss in overweight and obese individuals.

Kim Suffolk