Experts say Obesity Can’t Be Fixed with Exercise

A trio of doctors released a myth busting article about the misconception that exercising is key to lose weight.

Three doctors from the UK, USA and South Africa got together to write a damning report against the Food Industry. They compare the PR practices of Food companies with those of Big Tobacco. 

A quote from the article reads: “It is time to wind back the harms caused by the junk food industry’s Public Relations machinery. Let us bust the myth of physical inactivity and obesity. You cannot outrun a bad diet.”

Dr A Malhotra and his colleges raise awareness to the importance the correct diet has to fight obesity. Exercising has definitely health benefits, but is not key to lose weight. 

The doctors also point out that according to the Lancet global burden of disease reports, poor diet now generates more disease than physical inactivity, alcohol and smoking combined.

Up to 40% of those with a normal body mass index will harbor metabolic abnormalities typically associated with obesity, which include hypertension, dyslipidaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease.

The experts focus in on the bad calories coming from sugar. This is why general calorie counting does not make sense. It is important where the calories are coming from. 

Another interesting aspect the doctors raise is the well known habit of carbo loading before exercising. This is not necessary says a study the report refers too. A high-fat low-carbohydrate diet induces very high rates of fat oxidation during exercise, which is sufficient for most exercisers in most forms of exercise.

The experts plead to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Sugary drinks and junk food need to be replaced with healthy sources of calories.

The full editorial has been released on the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Via BBC.