Combining diet, exercise offers most sustained weight loss: NIN study

A Hyderabad-based NIN study found that combining dietary intervention with physical activity can provide the most sustained benefits for weight management. The umbrella review analysed evidence from 112 systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering thousands of trials across more than 50 countries.

Hyderabad: Combining dietary intervention with physical activity provides the greatest sustained reduction in body weight, an evidence-based study by Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) said.

The study, published in the international research journal Obesity Pillars, is based on an umbrella review which brought together evidence from 112 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, covering 2,332 unique randomised controlled trials and 5,07,460 participant-observations from more than 50 countries.

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Led by NIN researchers Dr Mahesh Kumar Mummadi and Dr Samarasimha Reddy, it compared dietary, physical activity, lifestyle and combined interventions among adults with overweight or obesity.

The review found combining diet and physical activity resulted in the greatest improvements in some glycaemic outcomes. Beyond 12 months, this combination was associated with reductions in fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance.

Physical activity also produced the largest reduction in systolic blood pressure of about 6.10 mmHg at 6-12 months. Intermittent fasting showed the largest reduction in diastolic blood pressure in the short term, and reduced weight up to 12 months, though this effect was not sustained beyond 12 months.

Dr Bharati Kulkarni, Director, ICMR-NIN, said, “The findings reinforce the importance of an integrated approach to obesity management. Healthy dietary practices, regular physical activity and behavioural support each have a role, but their combination can provide broader and more sustained benefits.”