Weight Loss Study Reveals Exercise Alone Won’t Help You Lose Weight

The British Journal of Sports Medicine has recently released a weight loss study that outlines why exercising regularly isn’t enough to fight off obesity.

It’s commonly known that a diet high in fat, carbohydrates and sugars is bad for you. It’s also commonly known that regular exercise is good for you. What isn’t commonly known is a regular exercise will not combat the effects of a bad diet on system.

Many people still believe they can eat what they like as long as they exercise regularly. Many people think that being a bit overweight doesn’t really matter if they’re getting regular exercise. This new weight loss study aims to ‘bust the myth’ that regular exercise can tackle obesity and the health effects of being overweight.

In a recent editorial the British Journal of Sports Medicine has said that ‘you can’t outrun a bad diet’. Exercising regularly, although helpful in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dementia, what it doesn’t do is promote weight loss.

British Journal of Sports Medicine recent weight loss study

UK obesity statistics.

  • Massive increase in the last 8 years
  • One in 4 adults in England obese
  • A further 42% men are overweight
  • The overweight/obese figure for women is 32%
  • A BMI of 30-35 cuts life expectancy by up to 4 yrs
  • A BMI 40+ cuts life expectancy by up to 10 yrs

 

Source: National Institute of Health and Care Excellence

“Yes, companies are taking action to highlight the importance of physical activity. However, they recognise that where they can have the biggest impact is in helping people to achieve a balanced diet,” – they say.

Busting weight loss myths.

The weight loss study is designed to highlight key messages that have been misinterpreted by the general public. Messages such as those being used by the food industry to blame consumers for being overweight have been targeted by the study. The general message from the junk food industry is that obesity and being overweight is caused by a lack of exercise. The weight loss study found that this is generally not the case.

Sugar criticism.

The study also criticises the connection between junk food and sport calling for an end to the informal partnership. Going further it calls for a sugar tax on high sugar drinks and a wholesale ban on junk food advertising in gyms. They say that the food industry have shifted the debate to calorie counting alone which doesn’t take into account the origin of the calories. They argue that sugar calories promote fat storage and encourage feeling hungry.