Increased regular physical activity is the way to achieve this goal of augmenting daily energy expenditure. Physical activity contributes to weight loss, both alone and when it is combined with dietary therapy. Even so, increased physical activity is a useful adjunct to LCDs in promoting weight reduction. Physical activity in overweight and obese adults increases cardiorespiratory fitness independent of weight loss. Furthermore, the more active an individual is, the lower the risk.
Physical activity contributes to a decrease in body fat, including a modest effect on abdominal fat.
Fewer data are available on the effects of physical activity on waist circumference, although the ratio changes noted above suggest a decrease in abdominal obesity. Only a few randomized controlled trials that have tested the effect of physical activity on weight loss measured waist circumference. However, it is not known whether the effects of physical activity on abdominal fat are independent of weight loss.