A New Look at Exercise Recommendations for Women...

Earlier this week a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that women should exercise for at least 60 minutes per day to avoid weight gain with age.

This study, which followed about 34,000 women for 13 years, looked at exercise frequency and intensity among middle-aged women who consumed a typical diet (i.e. who were not dieting).

Researchers found that physical activity with a usual diet (i.e. no diet modifications) was associated with less weight gain only among women whose BMI was 25 or lower. For women who were already overweight or obese, a combination of physical activity and reduced caloric food intake is required for weight loss and prevention of further weight gain. (To determine your BMI click here)

The study authors wrote , "these data suggest that the 2008 federal recommendation for 150 minutes per week (i.e. 30 min, 5 days a week), while clearly sufficient to lower the risks of chronic diseases, is insufficient for weight gain prevention absent caloric restriction."

Reference:
JAMA. 2010;303(12):1173-1179