Mixed
Long-term combined diet and exercise interventions produce significantly greater reductions in body weight, fat mass, and cardiovascular risk factors than either diet or exercise alone.
To lose the most weight and improve heart health over the long term (1+ years), you must combine dietary changes with physical activity. Do not rely on exercise alone; diet is actually more effective for weight loss than exercise by itself. However, adding exercise to your diet gives you the best possible results for both your waistline and your blood pressure/lipids. Aim for a sustainable caloric deficit and regular moderate-to-vigorous activity (aerobic and resistance) for at least a year.
D + E resulted in a significantly more pronounced reduction in body weight [mean differences (MD): −1.38 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.98 to −0.79], and fat mass (MD: −1.65 kg, 95% CI −2.81 to −0.49], respectively... D + E yielded also the greatest reductions with respect to blood lipids and blood pressure when compared to single applications of D and E, respectively.
Why this rating
Based on a network meta-analysis of 21 RCTs with moderate-to-high heterogeneity; rated 'moderate-quality evidence' by authors.
Source
Impact of long-term lifestyle programmes on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight/obese participants: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Lukas Schwingshackl et al. · Systematic Reviews · 2014
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