Diet-exercise combo most effective for lasting weight loss: ICMR-NIN

A major review by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition reveals that a combination of healthy diet and regular physical activity is the most effective non-drug strategy for long-term weight loss and improving metabolic health among adults with overweight or obesity. The umbrella review analyzed evidence from 112 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, covering 2,332 randomized controlled trials and over 500,000 participant observations across more than 50 countries.

While all major non-pharmacological interventions produced statistically significant weight reduction, the diet-and-exercise combination yielded the most sustained results, with participants losing an average of 3.68 kg within a year. Low-calorie diets led to the greatest short-term weight loss, averaging 2.64 kg within three months, while physical activity alone resulted in smaller weight reductions but maintained benefits over longer periods.

Lifestyle interventions like counseling, goal-setting, self-monitoring, and health education also showed positive effects. The study emphasized improvements in blood sugar control and blood pressure, with the diet-and-exercise approach offering the greatest benefits. ICMR-NIN director Bharati Kulkarni highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to tackling obesity, especially in India, where scalable and sustainable solutions are crucial to address the growing burden of overweight, obesity, and related non-communicable diseases.