A Little Exercise Goes A Long Way

LITTLE bit of exercise will shrink the waistlines of couch potatoes far quicker than it will those of active people, new research shows.

A sedentary person who walked just 2000 steps a day could significantly shed weight just by adding another 2000 steps, the study by Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the International Diabetes Institute found.

Men could lose 2.8cm off their waists while women could lose 2.2cm.

But active people walking the recommended 10,000 steps a day would reduce their waist circumference only by 0.7cm if they added a further 2000 steps.

The study of more than 1100 Tasmanians, published in the International Journal of Obesity, is the first to prove definitively, using step pedometers, the impact exercise has on obesity, even when it is simply walking.

A person did little or no exercise would benefit hugely from a little bit more, said Dr David Dunstan, manager of physical activity research at the International Diabetes Institute and one of the study's authors.

"In terms of obesity levels, we've proved there are huge benefits to be gained from this low starting point and that should be very encouraging for people," he said.

"Of course, there are some benefits for those that are already doing more but the magnitude is just not the same."

Source: Medical Health Care Information