Current physical activity guidelines for health are insufficient to mitigate long-term weight gain: more data in the fitness versus fatness debate (The HUNT study, Norway).
BACKGROUND
To promote and maintain health, all adults are recommended to do moderate-intensity aerobic activity a minimum of 30 min on 5 days, or vigorous-intensity activity of 20 min on 3 days, each week. Whether these levels prevent long-term weight gain is uncertain.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between physical activity and long-term weight gain.


METHODS
An observational prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Weight and physical activity were measured in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in 1984-1986, 1995-1997 and 2006-2008. Participants (n=19 127) were classified based on physical activity into inactive, below recommended level, recommended level or above recommended level. We carried out adjusted mixed model regression analyses with weight as outcome.


RESULTS
Men maintaining physical activity above the recommendations for 33 years increased 5.6 kg, while inactive men increased 9.1 kg. For women, corresponding numbers were 3.8 kg in those above recommended physical activity levels, and 9.5 kg in inactive. In adjusted analyses, physical activity above the recommendations was associated with 2.1 kg (95% CI 1.8 to 2.4) less weight gain in men over any 11-year period, compared with inactive. Women exceeding the recommendations gained 1.8 kg (CI 1.5 to 2.2) less than inactive. Compared with inactive, the ORs of gaining meaningful weight of ≥2.3 kg were 0.79 (CI 0.69 to 0.91) and 0.70 (CI 0.60 to 0.81) if exceeding the recommendations in men and women, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity above the current recommendations for health benefits was associated with significantly lower risk of weight gain.
Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
Trine
T
Moholdt
Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Ulrik
U
Wisløff
Faculty of Medicine, Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Stian
S
Lydersen
Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, KG Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Javaid
J
Nauman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Epidemiology; Exercise; Exercise and/or Caloric Restriction Effects on Body Weight/Composition; Health Promotion Through Physical Activity; Physical Activity Promotion in Primary Care