Mixed
Physical activity and exercise provide significant health benefits for adults with overweight or obesity independent of weight loss, including improvements in body composition quality, cardiorespiratory fitness, and metabolic health.
Prioritize regular physical activity regardless of your current weight. Focus on building cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, as these provide health benefits even if you do not lose weight. Do not let the absence of scale movement discourage you from exercising.
Evidence supports that many of the benefits of physical activity are realized independent of initial weight status or whether weight loss is achieved, with some benefits additive to what is achieved with weight loss alone.
Why this rating
Based on a comprehensive review of multiple studies and meta-analyses cited in the text.
Source
Physical activity and exercise within the context of obesity treatment: Enhancing health beyond weight loss
John M. Jakicic et al. · Journal of sport and health science/Journal of Sport and Health Science · 2025
DOI 10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101097
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Related findings · Mixed
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