We examined the association between exercise and
weight loss maintenance in a group of 45 previously obese subjects 2 years post very-
low-calorie diet (VLCD) to suggest exercise goals for this population. At baseline, subjects weighed a mean 100 kg and had a mean total
cholesterol (TC) of 5.8 mmol/L. With VLCD they lost an average 28 kg and decreased their TC by 1.6 mmol/L. Two years post-VLCD their weight and
lipids were measured and they completed a physical activity survey (Paffenbarger). Subjects were grouped into tertiles by reported exercise levels: low active (< 850 kcals per week), moderate active (850-1575 kcals per week) and high active (> 1575 kcals per week). Walking accounted for the greatest calorie expenditure (65%). Analysis of variance showed that baseline characteristics and weight and blood
lipid changes during the VLCD did not differ (P > 0.05) among groups. At follow-up, high active patients maintained significantly greater
weight loss, had a lower percent regain and a significantly greater decrease in total
cholesterol (P < 0.05) than less active patients. Multiple regression analysis indicated that total exercise calories independently predicted overall
weight loss and percent regain (r = 0.66 and r = 0.62, respectively). Exercise calories also predicted total
cholesterol change (r = -0.37). The high active group walked more miles (16.2 per week) than the low and moderate active groups (4.8 and 9.1 per week, respectively) and exercised more days per week (5.3 vs. 1.9 and 3.7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)