Research
Energy balance
Greater increases in physical activity adherence (measured by steps per day, exercise minutes, or VO2max) are associated with greater decreases in weight, BMI, body fat, and intra-abdominal fat.
To maximize fat loss, focus on increasing your daily physical activity over time. Whether through more steps, more minutes of exercise, or improved fitness (VO2max), greater adherence leads to greater fat loss. Start where you are and gradually increase your activity levels.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Exercisers with greater increases in pedometer-measured steps per day had greater decreases in weight, BMI, body fat, and intra-abdominal fat (all p trend < 0.05 in both men and women). Similar trends were observed for increased minutes per day of exercise and for increases in maximal oxygen consumption.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with clear dose-response analysis.
Source
Exercise Effect on Weight and Body Fat in Men and Women
Anne McTiernan et al. · Obesity · 2007
DOI 10.1038/oby.2007.178
rct · n=202Cited 221×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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