Physical Activity and Weight Management Across the Lifespan

Abstract

This review discusses key findings and recommendations related to the role of physical activity in weight gain prevention, weight loss, and weight-loss maintenance across the lifespan. For weight gain prevention, epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that regular physical activity is critical, with increases above the recommended 30 min daily for health (e.g., to 45 to 60 min daily) potentially desirable for curtailing weight gain. For weight loss, clinical studies suggest that physical activity interventions alone usually produce only modest results. Combining physical activity with dietary interventions increases the chance of success, especially at higher levels of physical activity (e.g., 200 to 300 min or more weekly). For weightloss maintenance, high levels of physical activity (e.g., 40 to 90 min daily) may be necessary. To manage weight across the lifespan, a comprehensive approach to physical activity is needed supported by public policy interventions that help make physical activity a part of daily life.

The Individualized Diet and Exercise Adherence Pilot Trial (IDEA-P) in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Collectively, these findings provide strong support for the beneficial role of exercise as an adjuvant, supportive care intervention in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. Despite the clear benefits accompanying exercise, it is also well established within the weight management literature that modifying both energy expenditure via increased physical activity and energy intake through changes in dietary behavior is integral to successful behavioral weight management interventions [32–34]. Primary adverse effects of ADT are increases in body fat or bodyweight and decreases in muscle mass or strength, which in turn, place patients with prostate cancer at increased risk of functional decline, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.…”

The impact of physical activity on physical health functioning – A prospective study among middle-aged employees

“…According to physical activity recommendations, cardiorespiratory fitness can be maintained and enhanced through regular aerobic physical activity, and musculoskeletal fitness by muscle-strengthening exercises (Fogelholm et al, 2005;Haskell et al, 2007). In addition to better overall fitness, physical activity is important for healthy weight maintenance due to increased energy expenditure (Goldberg and King, 2007). Thus, sufficient intensity of physical activity as well as its total volume are both likely to be beneficial for maintaining good health and functioning.…”

Identifying Potential Barriers to Physical Activity Adherence: Anxiety Sensitivity and Body Mass as Predictors of Fear During Exercise

“…preventing weight gain, maintaining weight loss; cf. Goldberg & King, 2007). Despite these well-documented benefits, fewer than one in five (18.8% of men; 16.6% of women) of US obese adults meet public health recommendations for physical activity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;CDC, 2000).…”