Study: Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Help Women Lose Weight

Women trying to lose weight can benefit as much from moderate physical activity as from an intense workout, according to a study reported in the September 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Assoiciation (JAMA).

The study involved 201 overweight, but otherwise healthy women between the ages of 21 and 45. The women were placed on reduced-calorie diets and randomly assigned to one of four exercise regimens that varied by intensity and duration.

The regimens involved either moderate or vigorous physical activity consisting primarily of brisk walking for 2.5 to 3.5 hours a week or 3.5 to 5 hours a week.

Women in all four groups lost about 13 to 20 pounds and maintained this weight loss for a year. They also improved their cardiorespiratory fitness. The amount of weight lost or fitness improvement did not vary much among the four groups.

Higher amounts of exercise resulted in a 10 percent weight loss compared with an 8 percent weight loss for a lesser amount of exercise, but this difference was not statistically significant, the researchers concluded.

Other sources: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, JAMA 2003;290:1323-1330.