January 3, 2011 – Young adults who are very active would gain less weight in their 40s, according to a US study1. However, moderate physical activity would not have a long-term effect on weight.
The study was conducted among 3,554 participants, aged 18 to 30 at the start of the study. Researchers compared the level of physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference of subjects over a 20-year period.
According to the results, men who maintained a very high activity level for more than 20 years gained less than 2.6 kg compared to those who were the least active.
The difference in weight gain over time was even more marked between very active and less active women, about 6 kg less.
As for the waist circumference, very active men took 3,1 cm less than the others. The very active women took 1.5 inches less than the less active ones in the study.
The authors of the study, however, noticed that the participants who had a moderate practice of physical activity had a weight gain identical to those who had the lowest level.
“Physical activity has an effect on weight, but it does not completely eliminate age-related weight gain,” the researchers conclude.
Carole Boulé – PasseportSanté.net
1. Hankinson AL, Daviglus ML, Maintaining a high physical activity level over 20 years and weight gain, JAMA, 2010; 304 (23); 2603-2610.
