Abstract
SummaryThis overview of reviews aimed to summarize the effects of exercise training programs on weight loss, changes in body composition, and weight maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity. A systematic search of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (SR‐MAs) published between 2010 and December 2019 was performed. Only SR‐MAs of controlled trials were included. The mean difference (MD) or standardized MD (SMD) were extracted from SR‐MAs. Twelve SR‐MAs (149 studies) were included. Exercise led to a significant weight loss (4 SR‐MAs, MDs ranging from −1.5 to −3.5 kg), fat loss (4 SR‐MAs, MDs ranging from −1.3 to −2.6 kg) and visceral fat loss (3 SR‐MAs, SMDs ranging from −0.33 to −0.56). No difference in weight, fat, and visceral loss was found between aerobic and high‐intensity interval training as long as energy expenditure was equal. Resistance training reduced lean mass loss during weight loss (1 SR‐MA, MD: 0.8 [95%CI: 0.4–1.3] kg). No significant effect of exercise was found on weight maintenance (1 SR‐MA). These findings show favorable effects of exercise training on weight loss and body composition changes in adults with overweight or obesity. Visceral fat loss may lead to benefits for cardiometabolic health. More research is needed to identify training modalities that promote weight maintenance.
Highlights
These findings show favorable effects of exercise training on weight loss and body composition changes in adults with overweight or obesity
systematic reviews and metaanalyses (SR-MAs) were included in the overview if: (1) all original studies included in the SR-MA assessed the effect of exercise training programs, that is, aerobic and/or resistance and/or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), (2) all original studies compared either exercise training with no intervention or usual care, or exercise training in combination with other interventions with appropriate controls, (3) at least two thirds of original studies involved adults (≥18 years including older adults) with overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) or obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), (4) at least one of the following outcomes was reported: weight loss, fat loss, visceral fat loss, lean mass loss, or weight maintenance
The recently published results of the METPOWeR trial that evaluated the effectiveness of three different volumes of aerobic exercise (i.e., 150, 225, and 300 min/week), in addition to a behavioral weight maintenance program, on the prevention of weight regain over 12 months after a ≥5% weight loss showed no significant difference in weight regain across exercise groups.[47]
Summary
This overview of reviews aimed to summarize the effects of exercise training programs on weight loss, changes in body composition, and weight maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity. Exercise led to a significant weight loss (4 SR-MAs, MDs ranging from −1.5 to −3.5 kg), fat loss (4 SR-MAs, MDs ranging from −1.3 to −2.6 kg) and visceral fat loss (3 SR-MAs, SMDs ranging from −0.33 to −0.56). Fat, and visceral loss was found between aerobic and high-intensity interval training as. No significant effect of exercise was found on weight maintenance (1 SR-MA). These findings show favorable effects of exercise training on weight loss and body composition changes in adults with overweight or obesity. More research is needed to identify training modalities that promote weight maintenance
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