Dieting alone ISN’T enough… you need to exercise to slash the risk of these killer diseases
Experts say a combination of diet and physical activity is what is needed to cut a person's risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes
SHEDDING a few excess pounds alone does not significantly boost overall health, experts warn.
Instead, Brits should exercise as part of their New Year diet if they want to slash their chances of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Scientists found the addition of some physical activity was much more effective at cutting risk factors such as high blood pressure, belly fat and raised cholesterol.
Texas University researchers compared 133 obese women on four different weight-loss programmes.
After three months, they all lost around 10lbs.
But only those on the fat-burning scheme that incorporated regular exercise saw risk factors for diabetes and heart disease plummet.
Lead researcher Dr Conrad Earnest said: “Our research shows that the best way to both lose weight and improve health is a synergistic approach to both diet and exercise that includes aerobic and strength training."
The study is published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
It compared the results from widely available slimming schemes such as Weight Watchers and Curves Complete.
Around two in three Brit adults are overweight or obese.
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Millions start dieting in January after guzzling too much food and booze over the festive period.
Dr Earnest added: “When starting a new diet program, participants should consider not only weight loss as a goal but also a reduction in associated health risk factors.
"Our study found that a commercial program that offers a concurrent diet and exercise program results in greater improvements in metabolic syndrome [risk factors for diabetes and heart disease] in the 12 weeks of the program.
"While all groups in our study lost a significant amount of body weight, the reduction of risk factors should also be celebrated and supported by policy interventions and advocacy.
“Weight loss is not the only goal here."