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In a recent revelation, Sudhir Kumar, a renowned neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, emphasizes the significant health benefits of exercise, irrespective of its impact on weight loss. Citing a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health by researchers from Harvard University, Kumar challenges the common notion that exercise’s sole purpose is shedding pounds.
The study, focused on obese adults, underscores that physical activity yields multiple critical health markers independent of weight loss. “If exercise does not lead to weight loss, is it worthless? The answer is NO,” asserted Kumar during an interview on X.com.
Kumar elaborated on encounters with patients who express frustration over negligible weight loss despite consistent exercise. “They lose hope and want to quit exercising. My advice to them is to not give up and continue exercising,” he emphasized.
While acknowledging weight loss as a common motivator for exercise, Kumar stresses its broader health implications. “A desire to lose weight is one of the main motivators for people to exercise, but it should not be the sole aim of exercising,” he affirmed.
Expanding on exercise’s benefits beyond weight management, Kumar highlighted improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, HbA1C, serum triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol. Additionally, he noted enhancements in sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and reductions in the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks. Moreover, regular exercise fosters improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle mass, and strength, ultimately contributing to a longer, healthier lifespan.
“Regular exercise not only reduces the risk of premature mortality but also decreases healthcare-related expenditure,” Kumar underscored. He further emphasized the synergy between exercise and a healthy diet, particularly advocating for carbohydrate restriction in weight management strategies.
In conclusion, Kumar urged individuals not to abandon exercise solely due to a lack of weight loss, reiterating its profound impact on overall health and longevity. As the discourse around fitness evolves, his insights offer a compelling perspective on the holistic benefits of staying active, irrespective of the scale’s reading.
