The Impact of Physical Exercise in the Management of Obesity, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Globally, the prevalence of obesity has increased substantially in the last decade. According to the CDC (2021), the prevalence of Obesity in the USA between 2017-2018 rose to 42.4%. Moreover, the rate of obesity increment in the population is alarming. Obesity is a public health concern for two main reasons: obesity puts a stain on the US financial systems and leads to other major diseases (CDC, 2021). On health, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type2, certain types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases and worst-case stroke leading to death.

Obesity has psychological burden on its patients thus reduced quality of life. According to Sarwer & Polonsky (2016), obesity has adverse psychological burden on patients resulting to challenges with body image, self-esteem and moods. Due to the psychological burden, in conjunction with conventional therapy, Obese patients require multidisciplinary approach in its management (Sarwer & Polonsky, 2016). Weight loss not only resolves obesity in patients but enhances the psychosocial statues of the patients. There are numerous therapies in management of diabetes such as medication, physical exercises and dietary regulation. For our study, we shall explore the role and efficacy of physical exercises in management of diabetes.

There is extensive research on the impact of physical exercises and exercise training on management of diabetes. These two therapies can be employed to prevent weight gain, execute maintaining of weight and initial weight loss. Studies highlight those physical exercises result in weight los and are more effective when coupled with dietary monitoring. Moreover, physical exercises used in the weight loss program need to be moderate to intensive. Further, it can be structure throughout the day to achieve body weight regulation.

The topic of study is critical to college students since the majority of the current diseases nursing and health students expect are lifestyle diseases such as obesity and cancer. Moreover, physical exercises aren’t only necessary for therapeutic management but critical for healthy individuals to maintain a clean bill of health. College students gain enough information role of physical exercises in management of obesity broadens their knowledge on other impacts of physical exercises. Students can also identify lack of physical inability of their future patients by identifying its predictors such as obesity or other lifestyle diseases. Further, it increases the knowledge bank of students on the recommended nature of physical exercises critical for their future practice (Al-Tannir et al., 2017). Studying importance of physical exercise on obesity may result in knowledge bias and lack of looking at a boarder aspect of obesity. Most students may focus on therapeutic actions of physical exercise without understanding the root cause of a patient’s obesity. Some forms of obesity are generational and can’t be solved using physical exercises alone. Therefore, studying importance of diabetes may result in bias.

Literature Review

Findings of the research articles

According to Jakicic et al. (2018), physical exercises are scientifically proven to manage body weight. Management of body weight through physical exercise involve weight loss, prevention of weight gain and regulation wight gain following weight loss. Physical exercise for weight loss need be moderate intensity to high intensity and an individual requires 150 mins exercise weekly to maintain body weight. Its crucial for obese of overweight individuals to perform 200-300 minutes weekly of moderate and vigorous exercise for long-term weight loss. The article focuses on complementary action of physical exercises and dietary modification for effective weight loss. Findings highlight those stand-alone physical exercises have moderate effects. Alternatively, the study highlights that dietary regulation on its own is ineffective and less effective in the short and long run. Finally, the article highlights those physical exercises are important and provide health benefits even in absence of obesity or overweight.

According to Swift et al. (2015), exercise training is critical for the overweight and obese individuals at risk on cardiovascular diseases even without the action of weight loss. Weight loss from exercise training without dietary restriction is heterogenous. On the other hand, physical exercises on its own has minimal weight loss. The article emphasis on clinician’s role in advising patients that physical exercises without the minimum recommended exercise taring volume are likely to be ineffective in weight loss. Obese and overweigh patients are recommended to use a combination of physical activities and dietary regulation. Moreover, the studies highlight that physical exercise are critical for the maintenance of body weight regain after weigh loss. Further, long-term actions of exercise training are crucial for long-term weigh loss.

Similarities of the articles

The articles both ascertain the positive benefits of physical exercise, physical activity and exercise training on weight loss. Moreover, the articles ascertain that physical exercise have an impact of weight loss, maintenance of weigh gain after weight loss and preventing weight gain. The articles ascertain that weight loss is impossible on its own and should be coupled with calorie regulation. Further, the articles discuss the education of patients who are presume that use of physical exercises alone can lead to loss of body weight, findings show that, physical exercise on its own is ineffective leading to insignificant weight los or no weight loss. Finally, the articles emphasize on the important of physical exercises even in the absence of overweight.

Differences

According to Jakicic et al. physical activity can be used in weight loss. However, Swift et al. disagree stating that physical exercise is a different activity different from physical activity and exercise training. Further, Swift et al. highlight that physical activity can only be effective when used as an exercise training, Swift tries to explain that activities such as walking or doing labor intensive activities such as slashing cannot lead to weight loss. On the other hand, exercise training activities such as programmed high kicks, frog jumps, press-ups and bench-presses could have positive outcomes.

Themes of the articles

The articles seem to enforce on the scientifically proven importance of physical exercises in reduction of body weight. In addition to reduction of body weight, physical exercises have a therapeutic property as seen in management of obesity (Jakicic et al., 2018) and cardiovascular diseases (Swift et al., 2015). Finally, a resolving theme is the use of a combination of physical exercise and dietary regulation in the weight loss endeavors.

Learning lessons

College students learn that physical activities are generally helpful in management of health conditions through weight loss. However, physical exercises are ineffective on their own, its prudent to inform patient on weight loss program that they need to practice planned and programmed physical exercise with minimum recommended energy burning capacity and control their dietary intakes.

Conclusion

physical exercises are very crucial for the weight loss programs which then help in management of obesity or other cardiovascular defects. Physical exercises need to be structured in the recommended manner in order to be effectives. Further, for positive outcomes and effective weight loss, physical exercise is coupled with dietary intakes. The topic of physical exercises on obesity is crucial for students to learn how check for precursors of physical inactivity and how to properly help someone on a weight loss journey. Since much has ben exploited on physical exercises, I would be curious to determine the levels of physical exercises crucial for weight loss or the importance of dietary regulation to weight loss.

References

Al-Tannir, M. A., Kobrosly, S. Y., Elbakri, N. K., & Abu-Shaheen, A. K. (2017). Prevalence and predictors of physical exercise among nurses. A cross-sectional study. Saudi medical journal, 38(2), 209–212. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2017.2.15502

CDC. (2021, June 7). Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Jakicic, J. M., Rogers, R. J., Davis, K. K., & Collins, K. A. (2018). Role of physical activity and exercise in treating patients with overweight and obesity. Clinical chemistry, 64(1), 99-107. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2017.272443

Sarwer, D. B., & Polonsky, H. M. (2016). The Psychosocial Burden of Obesity. Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America, 45(3), 677–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.016

Swift, D. L., Johannsen, N. M., Lavie, C. J., Earnest, C. P., & Church, T. S. (2014). The role of exercise and physical activity in weight loss and maintenance. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 56(4), 441–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2013.09.012