title: Obesity and physical activity: a review.
abstract: Obesity has become a problem of epidemic proportions in the U.S., with nearly two thirds of American adults being either overweight or obese. Current data suggest that this trend remains on the rise and threatens many of the gains that have been made in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Exercise has long been considered an integral component of weight management, but available evidence suggests that exercise alone is a relatively inefficient means for losing weight. In contrast, regular exercise appears crucial in the prevention of weight gain and successful maintenance of weight loss, and in the fostering of cardiovascular health. This article reviews the available literature regarding the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of obesity and evaluates the adequacy of current national guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA. daniel.bensimhon@duke.edu
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bensimhon
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Donahue
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss