Improve diet and increase physical activity at same time to limit weight gain: JAMA

Improving diet and increasing physical activity levels together may be more effective at preventing weight gain – particularly harmful fat inside the abdomen – than just changing one of these behaviours, new research from the University of Cambridge suggests.

An analysis of changes in physical activity and diet quality in UK adults found that while improved diet quality and increased physical activity were each independently associated with lower increases in body fat, the greatest benefits were achieved by combining both.  

Body fat is stored in different locations, some of which are more harmful than others. Subcutaneous fat is stored under the skin and can be considered relatively healthy. In contrast, visceral fat stored around the organs in the abdomen is linked to a higher ri