OKLAHOMA CITY –
A new study suggests exercise may play a smaller role in preventing obesity than previously believed, with researchers concluding diet has a much greater impact on weight gain.
More than 40% of U.S. adults are considered overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While exercise is often promoted as a key weight-management tool, the researchers say their findings show it is not the primary factor.
What the Study Found
The study found participants burned roughly the same number of calories each day regardless of whether they lived active or sedentary lifestyles. Researchers said someone with a physically demanding job recorded similar total daily energy use as someone with a desk job.
The team concluded calorie intake is the strongest driver of weight gain, estimating diet may be about 10 times more influential than physical activity.
Role of Genetics
The researchers also noted genetics play a role, identifying 14 genes with variants linked to a higher likelihood of obesity. Even so, they said most people can manage their weight by matching calorie intake to the amount of energy their body uses each day. That number varies by age, sex and body composition.
Tools and Recommendations
Online calculators from the National Institutes of Health can help estimate daily calorie needs.
Health experts generally recommend consuming about 500 fewer calories than the body burns to lose about one pound per week.