Purpose: To Examine whether change in physical activity is associated with compliance to changes in dietary intake and eating behaviors in an 18-month behavioral weight loss program, and to examine the contribution of exercise to weight loss when these other weight loss behaviors are also considered.

Methods: 104 subjects completed and 18-month behavioral weight loss program were analyzed. All subjects were prescribed a reduced energy (1200-1500 calories) and 20-30% fat diet, and exercise from 100 minutes, to start, to 200 minutes per week. Subjects attended behavioral group meetings throughout the study.

Results: Body weight decreased from ½ to 33 ½ pounds (17# average) and BMI’s (Body Mass Index) decreased from 0.1 to 5.5, averaging a loss of 2.8. A healthy body mass index for women is under 25.

Change in physical activity significantly affected the weight loss, reductions in food intake, and improvements in eating behaviors associated with weight loss.

Conclusions: The combination of changes in eating and physical activity behaviors can improve long-term weigh loss compared with either behavior alone. Interventions targeting both behaviors are recommended for improving long-term weight loss.

Jakicic, Wing, and Winters Hart
Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital, Providence RI and Univ. of Pittsburg
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Oct 2002, 1653-1659
American College of Sports Medicine