Physical activity and exercise for weight loss and maintenance in people living with obesity.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing existing literature without systematic review methodology.
PubMed 37142892 · doi:10.1007/s11154-023-09805-5
What was done
This narrative review synthesized evidence on physical activity and exercise modalities (aerobic, resistance, and combined training) for weight loss, weight maintenance, visceral fat reduction, lean mass preservation, and physical fitness in adults living with overweight or obesity.
What was found
Aerobic training produced an average of 2 to 3 kg of additional weight loss compared with no exercise training, with similar modest reductions observed for total fat mass. Aerobic training also decreased imaging-measured abdominal visceral fat. Randomized controlled trial evidence for exercise in post-weight-loss maintenance remained inconclusive, though retrospective analyses suggested high-volume exercise may help. Resistance training preserved lean body mass during weight loss and improved muscle strength without significant changes in muscle mass. Aerobic and combined training improved cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max).
Why it matters
While exercise produces only modest standalone weight reduction, it plays a critical role in obesity management by reducing abdominal visceral fat, preserving lean tissue during calorie restriction, and enhancing cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks systematic search criteria, standardized quality appraisal, and meta-analytic pooling. Specific sample sizes, effect sizes with confidence intervals, and exercise doses were not detailed in the abstract, and long-term adherence remains a major challenge.
Cited by
- context Published research demonstrates that incorporating strength training during weight loss leads to appreciable weight loss retention.