Results from the network meta-analyses confirmed these findings .
Conclusions Moderate- quality evidence from the present network meta- analysis suggests that D + E can be highly recommended for long-term obesity management .
Furthermore , the evidence suggests a moderate superiority of D over E with respect to anthropometric outcomes .
Background The aim of this meta- analysis was to compare the long-term efficacy of diet plus exercise ( D + E ) vs. diet ( D ) , D + E vs. exercise ( E ) and D vs. E on anthropometric outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese participants .
Exercise and the maintenance of weight loss: 1-year follow-up of a controlled clinical trial.
This study reports results 1 year after treatment for 77 obese women who had been treated for 48 weeks by diet combined with supervised ( a ) aerobic exercise , ( b ) strength training , ( c ) aerobic plus strength training combined , or ( d ) no exercise .  Mean ( + /- SD ) end-of-treatment weight losses for the 4 conditions ranged from 13.5 + /- 9.1 kg to 17.3 + /- 10.3 kg , but there were no statistically significant differences among groups . Participants in all 4 conditions regained approximately 35 % to 55 % of their weight loss in the year after treatment ; again , there were no significant differences among groups . Participants , however , who reported exercising regularly in the 4 months preceding the follow-up assessment regained significantly less weight than did nonexercisers
Results from the network meta-analyses confirmed these findings .
Conclusions Moderate- quality evidence from the present network meta- analysis suggests that D + E can be highly recommended for long-term obesity management .
Furthermore , the evidence suggests a moderate superiority of D over E with respect to anthropometric outcomes .
Background The aim of this meta- analysis was to compare the long-term efficacy of diet plus exercise ( D + E ) vs. diet ( D ) , D + E vs. exercise ( E ) and D vs. E on anthropometric outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese participants .