Exercise Recommendations Are Nonsensical And Require Revision - Position Statement

"Exercise" is touted as a means to lose weight.

Exercise for weight loss involves burning more Calories than are consumed.

Here is the exercise information provided:

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (from: http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter4.htm)

·        Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.

·        To reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.

·        For most people, greater health benefits can be obtained by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration.

·        To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain in adulthood: Engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

·        To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. Some people may need to consult with a healthcare provider before participating in this level of activity.

These recommendations are irrational.

Suggesting that 30 minutes "reduce(s) the risk of chronic disease," implies that 30 minutes is all that is needed for "health" which should be the endpoint of any weight reduction program, i.e., 30 minutes per day results in a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

It is inexplicable how "at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity" can only "sustain weight loss" and "60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week" is recommended "to help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain."

If 60 minutes of activity manages weight and prevents weight gain, then greater than 60 minutes should result in greater weight loss, not a stable weight. This result and bizarre recommendation can only occur in the absence of caloric intake control.

These recommendations are clearly absurd. If physical activity recommendations are to be offered, NAAAFP believes that they require revision to make them rational and the term "training" should be used.

NAAAFP stands in support of caloric intake control as the primary means to control total weight and physical training as the primary means to control the proportions of body weight distributed as lean and fat.

Exercise Recommendations Are Nonsensical And Require Revision - Advocacy Letter

Dear (insert name of recipient here),

"Exercise" is touted as a means to lose weight.

Exercise for weight loss involves burning more Calories than are consumed.

Here is the exercise information provided:

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (from: http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter4.htm)

·        Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.

·        To reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.

·        For most people, greater health benefits can be obtained by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration.

·        To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain in adulthood: Engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

·        To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. Some people may need to consult with a healthcare provider before participating in this level of activity.

These recommendations are irrational.

Suggesting that 30 minutes "reduce(s) the risk of chronic disease," implies that 30 minutes is all that is needed for "health" which should be the endpoint of any weight reduction program, i.e., 30 minutes per day results in a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

It is inexplicable how "at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity" can only " sustain weight loss" and " 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week" is recommended "to help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain."

If 60 minutes of activity manages weight and prevents weight gain, then greater than 60 minutes should result in greater weight loss, not a stable weight. This result and bizarre recommendation can only occur in the absence of caloric intake control.

These recommendations are clearly absurd. If physical activity recommendations are to be offered, I believe that they require revision to make them rational.

These exercise recommendations should be extincted and physical training recommendations should be offered instead.

I expect the following from you:

A clear and immediate public declaration that you do not support exercise as the primary means of weight control

A clear and immediate public declaration that you do support physical training as the primary means of controlling the proportions of body weight distributed as lean and fat

A clear and immediate public declaration that you do support caloric intake control as the primary means of weight control

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.