Keeping the Weight Off

It is not clear what type and amount of physical activity are needed to prevent regain of weight after significant weight loss. One study looked at the relationships between patterns of physical activity and how well people kept weight off 6 years after weight loss.

A group of 4,558 healthy women (26-45 years) who had lost more than 5% of their body weight in the previous 2 years was followed. In these women, 80% of women regained more than 30% of their previous weight loss.

How can exercise help?

An increase of 30 min/day in daily physical activity was related with less weight regain, especially in women who were overweight (BMI >/=25). Regular jogging or running was associated with less weight regain participating in brisk walking or other activities. Compared to inactive women, active women were less likely to regain >30% of the lost weight if they maintained 30+ min/day of discretionary PA or increased to this activity level.

Bottom Line:

Increased daily physical activity with a minimum of 30 minutes a day can help prevent weight re-gain after weight loss. Importantly, higher intensity activity had a more marked benefit in overweight/obese women than normal weight women.

Read the source!

Mekary RA, Feskanich D, Hu FB, Willett WC, Field AE. Physical activity in relation to long-term weight maintenance after intentional weight loss in premenopausal women. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010 Jan;18(1):167-74.