Weigth loss strategies

Abstract

Although it does not represent a great isolated cause of death, obesity may be considered one of the greatest health problems nowadays because it is associated with several diseases. In order to avoid both increase and appearance of new cases of obesity, it is paramount that preventive measures should be taken. Prevention may be implemented through changes in lifestyle, such as eating habits re-education and the practice of physical exercises. The objective of this study was to review what type of physical exercise and also the strategies that may be adopted in exercise prescription of to optimize weight loss. It was observed that muscular resistance exercise combined with aerobic exercise seemed to produce the best results in weight loss programs because they help to increase resting metabolic rate, to keep and/or increase fat-free mass and optimize the rate of mobilization, and use of fat during weight loss. The weight loss goal seems to be successfully reached in programs that included resistance exercise, continuous and/or intermittent aerobic exercises which demand a high energy flow (70% VO2máx.). This process seemed to be more efficient because it afforded a greater total caloric expenditure; not only during exercise, but also because it triggered an increase in post-exercise oxygen consumption, thus causing fat to be used during this period.