ABSTRACT
A physically active lifestyle is important for the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity. Physical activity contributes to the prevention of weight gain and maintenance of a healthy body weight, and it appears that this effect is most pronounced when physical activity is at least 150 minutes per week. In the absence of dietary restriction, physical activity elicits a mean weight loss of approximately 0.5 to 3.0 kg; however, there is a dose-response association with greater amounts of physical activity resulting in greater weight loss. Within the context of a reduction in energy intake, the addition of physical activity enhances weight loss by 20%. Following initial weight loss, physical activity is associated with weight loss maintenance and the blunting of weight regain. These effects on body weight regulation occur with moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, but some evidence also supports the benefits of light-intensity physical activity. The effect of physical activity on body weight varies by dose of physical activity and potential mode of physical activity. There is a need to understand factors that influence the variability in body weight in response to physical activity and strategies to enhance engagement in physical activity in adults with overweight or obesity.
