Surprising finding from calorie-weight study

An international study has failed to find supporting evidence for the common belief that the number of calories burned in physical activity is a key factor in rising rates of obesity. Researchers from Loyola University Health System and other research centers compared African-American women in metropolitan Chicago with women in rural Nigeria. On average, the Chicago women weighed 184 pounds and the Nigerian women weighed 127 pounds.

The researchers had expected to find that the slimmer Nigerian women would be more physically active, but to their surprise they found no significant difference between the two groups in the amount of calories burned during physical activity. “Decreased physical activity may not be the primary driver of the obesity epidemic,” remarked Loyola nutritionist Amy Luke.

Physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, improves mental health and mood, lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer. But the new research, appearing in the journal Obesity, suggests that weight control might not be among the main benefits.

People burn more calories when they exercise. But they compensate by eating more, said Loyola’s Richard Cooper. “We would love to say that physical activity has a positive effect on weight control, but that does not appear to be the case,” he added.

Results of the new study are similar to those of a 2007 study of men and women in Jamaica. Researchers from Loyola and other centers found there was no association between weight gain and calories burned during physical activity. “Evidence is beginning to accumulate that dietary intake may be more important than energy expenditure level,” Luke said. “Weight loss is not likely to happen without dietary restraint.”

Related:
Work smarter, eat harder
Brain Has Sixth Sense For Calories
9 Out Of 10 Americans Obese Or Overweight By 2030

Source: Loyola University Health System

, ,

Comments are closed.

Vintage Postcard 1919 Obesity Good Natured Fat Men Can Neither Run Nor Fight picture

Vintage Postcard 1919 Obesity Good Natured Fat Men Can Neither Run Nor Fight

$13.99



Vintage Postcard Obesity Fat Big Butt is the Only Bit of Shade In The Place picture

Vintage Postcard Obesity Fat Big Butt is the Only Bit of Shade In The Place

$13.99



INCREDIBLE MOSCOW FAT BOY Super RARE RUSSIAN FREAK PHOTO Sideshow Circus Obesity picture

INCREDIBLE MOSCOW FAT BOY Super RARE RUSSIAN FREAK PHOTO Sideshow Circus Obesity

$244.99



Cabinet Card Young Older Obese Woman Bust View Hassall & Anschutz -Keokuk IA picture

Cabinet Card Young Older Obese Woman Bust View Hassall & Anschutz -Keokuk IA

$2.00



1978 Press Photo Richard Lampman Obesity Michigan - dfpb66327 picture

1978 Press Photo Richard Lampman Obesity Michigan - dfpb66327

$10.00



Old Vintage Antique Tintype Photo Large Portly Overweight Plump Obese Fat Woman picture

Old Vintage Antique Tintype Photo Large Portly Overweight Plump Obese Fat Woman

$15.00



Obese COWLAN Couple on Honeymoon Carnival Sideshow Actors 1956 Press Photo picture

Obese COWLAN Couple on Honeymoon Carnival Sideshow Actors 1956 Press Photo

$60.00



ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR ERA TINTYPE PHOTO OF A VERY FAT OBESE WOMAN WITH JEWELRY picture

ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR ERA TINTYPE PHOTO OF A VERY FAT OBESE WOMAN WITH JEWELRY

$26.60



Photo: Photograph, men, obesity, people, body type, clothing, New York, NY, Paul picture

Photo: Photograph, men, obesity, people, body type, clothing, New York, NY, Paul

$14.99



K7 Photograph Cute Couple Obese Fat Overweight Man Azure Seas Eating  picture

K7 Photograph Cute Couple Obese Fat Overweight Man Azure Seas Eating

$22.50



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes