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30 Mins Daily Won't Cut It: Study

Researchers recommend at least an hour daily to keep off pounds

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 30, 2008 2:39 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Thirty minutes of moderate exercise daily may not trim off the fat after all, a new study says. University of Pittsburgh researchers say it takes at least 55 minutes per day, five days a week, to keep off the pounds. The study followed 200 overweight women, and found that only those who exercised twice as much as normally suggested were able to cut 10% of their weight.

Researchers concluded that exercise time reduced fat more than any other factor, including diet. But other studies are skeptical that diet and exercise can determine body weight in the long run. Studies have shown that each body has a "set point," and tries to keep weight within 10 to 20 pounds of that mark—which may explain why no women in the Pittsburgh study lost much more than 10% of their body fat.

An overweight person eats in London, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.
An overweight person eats in London, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Thirty minutes of exercise a day may not be enough to keep the weight off, researchers say.
Thirty minutes of exercise a day may not be enough to keep the weight off, researchers say.   (Shutterstock)
30 minutes a day of exercise may not be enough to keep fat off, a new study says.
30 minutes a day of exercise may not be enough to keep fat off, a new study says.   (Shutterstock)
U.S. head women's soccer coach Pia Sundhage jogs from the hotel to the site of a training session in Montechoro, Portugal, Thursday, March 6, 2008.
U.S. head women's soccer coach Pia Sundhage jogs from the hotel to the site of a training session in Montechoro, Portugal, Thursday, March 6, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Lisa Rosenstock, 48, jogs near her home Sept. 14, 2007, in Madison, Wis. Rosenstock.
Lisa Rosenstock, 48, jogs near her home Sept. 14, 2007, in Madison, Wis. Rosenstock.   (AP Photo/Mark Carlson)
An overweight person is seen walking in London, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.
An overweight person is seen walking in London, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
laslow
Jul 23, 2009 5:30 AM CDT
This story is so vague: "exercise time" is a very broad term. Do they mean cardio? Weightlifting? pilates? I bike for 5 days per week for about 25-30 minutes and I've lost a bunch of weight in the past few months. You could definitely sit and do 30 minutes of weight lifting per day and you won't lose any weight. All of these studies are just there to keep chubby people confused about what and what not do to lose weight. Do 30 minutes of cardio (Biking, jogging, tai bo, etc) 5 days per week, eat healthy, and you'll lose weight. Guaranteed.

The study
Archives of Internal Medicine

 
obesity • women • weight loss • exercise • jogging

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