Pairing Exercise with Weight Loss Yields Benefits for Prediabetes and Obesity, New Study Finds

New research suggests that regular exercise can significantly enhance weight loss efforts when combined with dieting for individuals struggling with prediabetes and obesity. The study aimed to explore whether exercise provided additional advantages beyond the weight loss achieved through diet alone.

The study consisted of two groups: one followed a diet program combined with exercise training, while the other group solely adhered to the diet program. The results revealed that the group incorporating both diet and exercise experienced twice the improvement in insulin sensitivity, a crucial factor in managing prediabetes, compared to the group focusing only on the diet.

Scientists from the Centre for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, examined the effects of regular exercise alongside a diet program for overweight individuals with prediabetes. Insulin sensitivity, responsible for controlling blood sugar levels, was measured among the participants.

The results indicated that the group implementing both diet and exercise witnessed twice the improvement in insulin sensitivity compared to those who only followed the diet. This suggests that their bodies became more efficient at using insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

Additionally, the researchers analyzed specific genes in the participants’ muscles and found that the group combining diet and exercise showed increased expression of genes associated with generating new mitochondria, enhancing energy metabolism, and promoting new blood vessel growth. These changes in gene activity indicated that exercise contributed to better overall muscle function and health.

Moreover, both groups displayed similar changes in their gut bacteria composition, which can have a considerable impact on overall health.

The study’s findings underscore the importance of exercise in treating obesity and managing diabetes. Exercise is increasingly viewed as a fundamental aspect of weight management treatment, improving not only weight but also overall health.

Dr. Sergio P Ramoa at Atrius Health, not involved in the study, emphasized the significance of exercise as a pillar for weight management and overall community health. He recommended using exercise in combination with pharmaceutical treatment for sustainable lifestyle changes.

Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian and health research specialist at the National Coalition on Healthcare (NCHC), also not involved in the study, supported the findings, stating that combining exercise training with a calorie-restricted diet could enhance insulin sensitivity and metabolic health beyond the benefits achieved solely through diet-induced weight loss.

Improving insulin sensitivity is critical in managing prediabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are consistently high but not yet at diabetic levels. Lifestyle changes, including exercise, can often prevent or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Ramoa explained that exercise improves insulin sensitivity through a hormone called GLUT4, which facilitates glucose transport. Exercise can upregulate GLUT4 levels in the body, thereby improving glucose control, muscle function, and overall metabolic health.

Previous research has shown that exercise is an effective primary treatment for type 2 diabetes. Combining moderate to vigorous exercise with dietary and behavioral changes can prevent, delay, or reverse the disease. Various forms of exercise, such as aerobic and resistance training, have been shown to control blood sugar levels effectively.

While exercise’s benefits are evident, barriers to physical activity among those with obesity often hinder its integration into weight loss programs. The study participants in the diet plus exercise group engaged in six hours of resistance training and aerobic exercise weekly, a regimen that can be challenging for some individuals based on their lifestyle and available resources.

In light of the study’s results, healthcare professionals should consider incorporating more structured exercise into weight loss protocols. Public health initiatives should also strive to make exercise programs more accessible, recognizing the widespread prevalence of obesity and its associated risks. Personalized exercise recommendations, considering individual factors, remain under study, reinforcing the importance of collaborating with healthcare professionals for effective diabetes management.