Physical Activity and the Prevention of Weight Gain in Adults: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic literature review to determine if physical activity is associated with prevention of weight gain in adults. METHODS: The primary literature search was conducted for the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee and encompassed literature through June 2017, with an additional literature search conducted to include literature published through March 2018 for inclusion in this systematic review. RESULTS: The literature review identified 40 articles pertinent to the research question. There is strong evidence of an association between physical activity and prevention of weight gain in adults, with the majority of the evidence from prospective cohort studies. Based on limited evidence in adults, however, there is a dose-response relationship and the prevention of weight gain is most pronounced when moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (≥3 METs) is above 150 min·wk. Although there is strong evidence to demonstrate that the relationship between greater time spent in physical activity and attenuated weight gain in adults is observed with moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, there is insufficient evidence available to determine if there is an association between light-intensity activity (<3 METs) and attenuated weight gain in adults. CONCLUSIONS: The scientific evidence supports that physical activity can be an effective lifestyle behavior to prevent or minimize weight gain in adults. Therefore, public health initiatives to prevent weight gain, overweight, and obesity should include physical activity as an important lifestyle behavior.

Role of Physical Activity and Exercise in Treating Patients with Overweight and Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns that are linked to numerous negative health consequences. Physical activity is an important lifestyle behavior that contributes to body weight regulation. CONTENT: Physical activity is inversely associated with weight gain and the incidence of obesity. Physical activity also contributes to additional weight loss when coupled with dietary modification, and it can result in modest weight loss when not coupled with dietary modification. Moreover, physical activity is associated with improved long-term weight loss and prevention of weight gain following initial weight loss. Current evidence supports that physical activity should be moderate to vigorous in intensity to influence body weight regulation. There is also a growing body of evidence that physical activity can be accumulated throughout the day in shorter periods of time rather than being performed during a structured and longer period, and that physical activity performed in this manner can be important for body weight regulation. SUMMARY: The literature supports the inclusion of physical activity as an important lifestyle behavior for regulating body weight. There are multiple intervention approaches that may be effective for enhancing physical activity engagement within the context of weight control.