Experts presenting at the American College of Sports Medicine's
14th annual Health & Fitness Summit today re-emphasized the
importance of both exercise and nutrition for weight loss.
Joseph Donnelly, Ed.D., FACSM, and John Jakicic, Ph.D., FACSM, were part of a preconference seminar on energy balance and obesity.
The two experts say that, despite some media reports to the contrary,
exercise is indeed a key component of obesity prevention and reduction.
"Energy -- or calories -- expended must exceed energy taken in through
food in order for weight loss to occur," Donnelly said. "Using both
sides of the energy balance equation, food and exercise, to make that
happen gives an individual two strategies instead of just one with diet
alone."
Donnelly says exercise is especially useful for preventing weight gain
from ever happening. Exercising 30 to 60 minutes per day burns 200 to
600 calories -- enough for weight gain prevention and even weight loss.
Excessive amounts of activity aren't necessary.
