Mixed
Combined exercise and low carbohydrate ketogenic diet interventions significantly reduce waist circumference and triglycerides in overweight and obese individuals compared to control groups.
If you are overweight or obese, combining regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise (about 4 times a week for an hour) with a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (less than 50g carbs, high fat) can help reduce your waist size and triglyceride levels. You do not need to restrict calories, which might make it easier to stick with. While other body composition metrics like total weight or BMI might not change significantly, the reduction in waist circumference is a clinically meaningful improvement for chronic disease risk.
Participating in interventions by overweight and obese individuals had beneficial effects including decreased waist circumference and triglycerides.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs, but small sample size (278 participants) and heterogeneity in protocols limit generalizability.
Source
Effects of Combined Exercise and Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet Interventions on Waist Circumference and Triglycerides in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hyun Suk Lee et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2021
DOI 10.3390/ijerph18020828
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