Managing Cardiometabolic Risk

Exercise without weight loss and intra-abdominal fat reduction

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Figure 2: Effects of exercise with and without consequent weight loss on changes in intra-abdominal fat (IAF)

Figure 2: Effects of exercise with and without consequent weight loss on changes in intra-abdominal fat (IAF)

Although weight loss is the ideal outcome of chronic exercise in overweight individuals, the evidence suggests that even when body mass does not change, regular exercise can markedly reduce intra-abdominal fat and shrink waist circumference accordingly (17, 18, 45-48) (Figure 2). For example, approximately two months of regular, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can substantially reduce intra-abdominal fat (-41 to -45%) without causing weight change in samples of type 2 diabetic patients (45, 46). Even non-obese premenopausal women experience a significant reduction in intra-abdominal fat (-25%) after 6 months of aerobic exercise despite no significant change in weight (47). Several studies have specifically examined the effect of exercise on abdominal adiposity when weight is maintained by having study participants consume compensatory kilocalories equivalent to the amount expended during exercise (17, 18, 48). The length of each intervention was roughly 3 months and consisted of an energy expenditure of approximately 3,500 kcal/wk. The primary findings suggest that in obese Caucasian men and women, as well as in individuals with type 2 diabetes, exercise training can significantly reduce total and abdominal obesity even with little or no change in body weight.

Legend: IAF, Intra-abdominal fat. Exercise without weight loss can reduce both intra-abdominal fat (10-20%) and waist circumference. However, exercise-induced weight loss leads to greater reductions in both intra-abdominal fat (30%) and waist circumference.

Reference

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17. Ross R, Dagnone D, Jones PJ, et al. Reduction in obesity and related comorbid conditions after diet-induced weight loss or exercise-induced weight loss in men. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2000; 133: 92-103.

18. Ross R, Janssen I, Dawson J, et al. Exercise-induced reduction in obesity and insulin resistance in women: a randomized controlled trial. Obes Res 2004; 12: 789-98.

45. Boudou P, Sobngwi E, Mauvais-Jarvis F, et al. Absence of exercise-induced variations in adiponectin levels despite decreased abdominal adiposity and improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic men. Eur J Endocrinol 2003; 149: 421-4.

46. Mourier A, Gautier JF, De Kerviler E, et al. Mobilization of visceral adipose tissue related to the improvement in insulin sensitivity in response to physical training in NIDDM. Effects of branched-chain amino acid supplements. Diabetes Care 1997; 20: 385-91.

47. Thomas EL, Brynes AE, McCarthy J, et al. Preferential loss of visceral fat following aerobic exercise, measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Lipids 2000; 35: 769-76.

48. Lee S, Kuk JL, Davidson LE, et al. Exercise without weight loss is an effective strategy for obesity reduction in obese individuals with and without Type 2 diabetes. J Appl Physiol 2005; 99: 1220-5.

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