Exercise as Therapy: Obesity

2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Obesity is a major public health problem. Increase in the prevalence of obesity appears to be paralleled by decreases in physical activity. I believe that exercise is a critical component of any program or regimen for weight control and health improvements(and management). With the proper nutrition and keeping physically active can help people stave at a healthy weight. Obesity can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, as well as reduce stress and boost mood.

Background

Despite all the health benefits of physical activity, people worldwide are doing less of it at work, at home, and as they travel from place to place. Globally, about one in three people gets little, if any, physical activity. Physical activity levels are declining not only in wealthy countries, such as the U.S., but also in low- and middle- income countries, such as China. It’s clear that this decline in physical activity is a key contributor to the global obesity epidemic, and in turn, to rising rates of chronic disease everywhere.1

Physical Training

Physical activity increases people’s total energy expenditure, which can help them stay in energy balance or even lose weight, as long as they don’t eat more to compensate for the extra calories they burn. Physical activity decreases fat around the waist and total body fat, slowing the development of abdominal obesity. Also, reducing depression and anxiety, and this mood boost may motivate people to stick to their exercise regimens over time.1

Type and Amount of Training

Depending on the type of individual, there are several methods that can help promote weight loss, such as exercise, but it seems to work best when combined with a lower calorie eating plan. Aerobic exercise or physical activity for long periods of time or at a high intensity to lose weight.  Resistance training, such as weight lifting, push-ups, and other muscle-strengthening activities build muscle mass, increasing the energy that the body burns throughout the day even when it’s at rest and making it easier to control weight.1  Some physical activity is better than none. Extra health benefits can be gained by increasing how often and intensely one exercise and how long each session lasts. Exercise should include aerobic activity of moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous intensity for 75 minutes a week.  Aerobic activity uses large muscles such as the legs, back and makes the heart beat faster. In addition, people should do activities that strengthen muscles such as, weight training at least twice a week.2

2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

References:

1Harvard. (N.D.). Exercise can help weight control. Retrieved from: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity-and-obesity/

2 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (N.D.) Overweight and Obesity Statistics. Retrieved from: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/overweight-obesity-statistics.aspx#top