At the University of Minnesota, moderate to substantial reduction in dietary fat were associated with weight loss in men and women who were overweight and obese.

Researchers compared the results of lowering caloric intake with improving physical exertion. By and large, participants who achieved the most weight loss success, were those who decreased their intake of food high in fat. Here are other interesting discoveries, hypotheses and conclusions based on the study:

-Exercise was not enough to promote weight loss in the female participants. In women who did not reduce their fat consumption but exercised, weight loss was nominal.

-On the contrary, men demonstrated an ability to lose weight by boosting their physical activity alone. Researchers theorize that men may have a better ability to expend calories during exercise than women do. Also, the caloric burn disparity can be attributed to the difference in how men and women metabolize food.
In men, both physical activity and dietary fat appeared to work independently on the effects of weight loss.

-The findings suggested that exercise alone was not sufficient enough to boost weight loss in women. However, levels of dietary fat reduction improved ratio of weight loss in women while physical activity did not have an exclusive impact.

-It was undetermined whether exercise modifies how the body metabolizes food. To enable better weight loss results and success, the benefits of exercise are linked to reducing stress. Physical activity combined with fewer calories and low-fat diets are the best ways to lose weight.

Weight loss tip: D-I-E-T is a four letter word. Instead of planning a diet, make nutritional modifications in your eating habits to ensure long-term health.