Why Exercise Is More Important Than Weight Loss for a Longer Life
Exercise is more crucial for improved health and a longer life span than losing weight, especially if you are overweight or obese, according to an intriguing new assessment of the connections between fitness, weight, heart health, and longevity.
Obese persons generally reduce their chances of heart disease and premature mortality significantly more by developing fitness than by losing weight or dieting, according to a study that examined the findings of hundreds of prior studies on weight reduction and exercise in men and women.
This review adds to the growing body of information showing that most people can be healthy at any weight as long as they are physically active.
I have discussed the science of exercise and weight reduction in this column on a number of occasions, much of it, to be honest, depressing if your goal is to lose weight. Extensive prior research indicates that individuals who begin exercising seldom lose weight unless they concurrently reduce their food intake. Simply put, exercise generally burns too few calories to contribute to weight loss.
Exercise physiology professor Glenn Gaesser of Arizona State University in Phoenix is knowledgeable about the shortcomings of fat-loss regimens. He has spent decades researching how exercise affects people's endurance, body composition, and metabolism—with an emphasis on obese individuals in particular.
His prior study has emphasized time and time again how ineffective exercise is for losing weight. For example, 81 overweight, inactive women started a new 30-minute walking regimen three times a week in a 2015 experiment he monitored. Some of them had lost body fat after 12 weeks, but 55 had gained weight.
Exercise is often considered more important than weight loss for a longer and healthier life for several reasons. While achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health, focusing solely on weight loss can sometimes lead to misguided priorities and neglect of other crucial aspects of well-being. Here's why exercise takes precedence:
Improves Cardiovascular Health: Regular exercise, particularly aerobic activities like jogging, swimming, and cycling, can strengthen the heart and circulatory system. It lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, contributing significantly to a longer life.
Enhances Respiratory Function: Exercise helps improve lung capacity and function, making it easier to breathe and increasing your body's ability to take in oxygen. This is vital for overall health and longevity.
Maintains Muscle Mass: As people age, they naturally lose muscle mass. Regular exercise, particularly resistance training, can help counteract this muscle loss, improving strength and mobility, and reducing the risk of falls and fractures in later life.
Supports Bone Health: Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running, and weightlifting, stimulate bone growth and density. This helps prevent osteoporosis and fractures, which can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly.
Boosts Mental Health: Regular physical activity releases endorphins, which reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. A healthy mind is crucial for a longer, higher-quality life.
Increases Metabolism: Exercise raises your basal metabolic rate, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. While exercise can contribute to weight loss, it's not solely about losing weight but about maintaining a well-balanced metabolism.
Reduces the Risk of Chronic Diseases: Regular exercise can reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Improves Immune Function: Exercise can enhance your immune system's ability to fight infections and diseases, potentially extending your lifespan by reducing the risk of illness.
Enhances Quality of Life: Exercise can lead to a longer life not only by preventing disease but also by increasing one's overall well-being. It promotes independence, mobility, and the ability to enjoy life to the fullest in older age.
Long-Term Sustainability: While rapid weight loss strategies often lead to weight regain, exercise can be integrated into your daily routine and sustained over the long term. This consistency contributes to ongoing health benefits.
Weight Loss Is Not the Only Goal: Health is about more than just a number on the scale. It includes factors like body composition, fitness, and overall well-being. Focusing solely on weight loss can lead to unhealthy and unsustainable practices.
In summary, while maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall health, exercise offers a more holistic approach to longevity and well-being. Regular physical activity provides a wide range of health benefits that extend beyond weight management, making it a cornerstone of a longer and healthier life.
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