Addition of aerobic exercise to dietary weight loss reduces abdominal fat

[Sherrie]

Addition of aerobic exercise to dietary weight loss reduces abdominal fat

Theres a 5 year study study on middle-aged women published in this months International Journal of Obesity that shows that aerobic exercise is needed in addition to diet in order to lose subcutaneous abdominal fat size (the fat on your belly!).

They did a study where they tested 45 women divided into 3 groups. The women were all on the same calorie deficit but one was through diet alone, one through diet and low intensity exercise and one through diet and high intensity exercise.

The diet only group didn't lose any subcutaneous fat size whilst according to the link below of an article reporting on this study both the low and high intensity groups lost around 18% subcutaneous fat size. I had a look for this in the abstract but whilst it does mention the diet only group didn't lose any and the exercise groups lost a substantial amount, it didn't say if there was a difference between the two exercise groups.

I find this interesting as if true it shows a good walk each day is enough to get that tummy fat moving!



Article (http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/wfub-eii080706.php)

Abstract (http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v30/n8/abs/0803245a.html)

[LC_Dave]

I think this can be contributed to the fact that a calorie defecit diet (low fat high carbs) catabolises lean muscle mass, more than utilising fat.

I remember when I was losing on WW and walking an hour a day. I could have sworn that the only reason I was losing 1-2 kg a week was because of the walking.

For them to assume that the only way to burn fat is a high carb low cal diet - silly research parametres. IMHO

[Sherrie]

Just imagine the results on a low carb diet when the body is already in a fat burning mode!

Assuming this study used a standard low fat, high carb diet ofcourse!