Physical activity plays an important role in obesity management. For example, aerobic isotonic exercise is beneficial to those with obesity and has been associated with significant additional weight loss, total fat loss, and decreased abdominal visceral fat. Current evidence suggests that physical activity typically needs to be moderate to vigorous intensity for substantial health benefits; additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond the equivalent of 150-300 min of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
Anaerobic isometric exercise, including resistance training, can be cautiously added as an adjunct after the aerobic goal is achieved. This form of exercise can help with weight maintenance and potentially increase muscle mass or fat-free mass and mobility in patients with overweight or obesity. Resistance training is valuable in minimizing muscle mass loss and can be particularly beneficial in patients with diabetes because it increases glucose uptake by muscles.
Increasing steps of ambulatory movement rather than focusing solely on structured periods of more traditional forms of exercise might be an effective strategy to encourage the accumulation of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Learn more about exercise and obesity.
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Cite this: Romesh Khardori, Elif A. Oral. Fast Five Quiz: Confronting Obesity - Medscape - Dec 05, 2023.
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