Exercise therapy increases energy consumption and plays a decisive role in weight loss in addition to the dietary changes. Exercise therapy alone only has a minor influence on weight loss. Only in combination with a reduced amount of calories is weight reduction achieved.
The following recommendations apply to exercise therapy:
- An effective weight reduction is only achieved if an energy consumption of 1200-1800 kcal/week is achieved with 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
- Strength training alone is not suitable for weight reduction.
- In the case of obesity grade II and III, consideration must be given to the musculoskeletal system, which may not be able to cope with an excessively intensive strain in the context of movement therapy.
- Increasing normal daily activities also helps to reduce body weight.
- Physical activity not only supports weight loss, but it also has other health benefits (e.g. cardiovascular system).
Movement therapy primarily helps to stabilize the achieved body weight after successful obesity reduction. It is important to discuss realistic ways of increasing movement. Increased leisure activities and active commuting by avoidance of comfortable transport possibilities (on foot instead of a bus, train, car) help to increase physical activity. Pedometers and the documentation of the daily number of steps can be motivating.
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