Physical Activity and Weight Loss: Quality versus Quantity

The prevalence of obesity increases worldwide, and physical activity is considered a therapeutic tool. BMI and total adiposity are positively correlated with cardiometabolic disease risk at the population level. However, body fat distribution and an impaired adipose tissue function, rather than total fat mass, better predict insulin resistance and related complications at the individual level.

The lecture will discuss the contribution of physical activity to weight loss, how to maximize fat loss while preserving lean tissue mass and function as a central goal of obesity treatments. Exercise imposes a mechanical load on skeletal muscles, as such, it is often viewed as a way to reduce losses of FFM with dieting.

In addition, we will discuss various phenotypes of obesity, including excess body fat in obese and normal-weight subjects and the benefits of physical activity in reducing visceral fat, maintaining lean body mass, and the importance of regular exercise as a strategy for weight loss maintenance.