HHS HealthBeat (November 13, 2008)

The hour

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

One way to keep weight off is to keep moving. Moderate physical activity such as walking or jogging burns calories, if you stay at it.

But how much time does that take?

Researcher John Jakicic of the University of Pittsburgh checked that in overweight or obese women who lost 10 percent of their weight and kept it off for two years. In his study, diet certainly helped, but bigger losers also burned about 2,000 calories a week through physical activity.

``My recommendation would be: 60 minutes a day, five days a week, would give an individual the most opportunity to be successful at keeping their weight off long-term.’’ (8 seconds)

He suggests doing what you can, and working your way up, at an activity you like.

The study in Archives of Internal Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November, 13 2008