Regular physical activity is an important part of effective weight loss
and weight maintenance. It also can help prevent several diseases and
improve your overall health. It does not matter what type of physical
activity you perform–sports, planned exercise, household chores, yard
work, or work-related tasks–all are beneficial. Studies show that even
the most inactive people can gain significant health benefits if they
accumulate 30 minutes or more of physical activity per day. Successful
weight loss improves control of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and
hypertension, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, and enhances self-image.




Research consistently shows that regular physical activity, combined
with healthy eating habits, is the most efficient and healthful way to
control your weight. Whether you are trying to lose weight or maintain
it, you should understand the important role of physical activity and
include it in your lifestyle. Dietary and exercise changes, and these changes reinforced
by behavior modification, are the most frequently used combination therapies.
Combining changes in diet and exercise can lead to greater short-term weight
loss than changes with either alone.

• How Can Physical Activity Help Control My Weight?
• What Are the Health Benefits of Physical Activity?
• How Much Should I Exercise?
• Moderate-Intensity Activity
• Aerobic Activity
• Tips to a Safe and Successful Physical Activity Program
• Additional Resources