Research
Energy balance
Physical activity and exercise are effective for weight loss and maintenance, particularly when combined with dietary restriction and long-term behavioral adherence.
Engage in regular, high-level physical activity and combine it with dietary changes for the best weight loss results. Long-term adherence to both diet and exercise is key to maintaining weight loss.
StrongSupportsVERY_HIGH confidence
Series of reviews, including a Cochrane Review, indicate that exercise induces weight loss, and that the weight loss is even greater when coupled with energy restriction.
Why this rating
Supported by Cochrane Reviews and longitudinal studies.
Source
The role of physical activity and exercise in obesity and weight management: Time for critical appraisal
Petri Wiklund · Journal of sport and health science/Journal of Sport and Health Science · 2016
DOI 10.1016/j.jshs.2016.04.001
narrative_reviewCited 248×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →