Objective monitoring of physical activity in overweight and obese populations

Abstract Background: Overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns in the United States as well as worldwide. Physical activity is consistently recommended as an important lifestyle behaviour in the treatment of overweight and obesity. Objective monitoring of physical activity using portable devices may provide an enhanced understanding of the role of physical activity in body weight regulation, and these devices may prove to be effective intervention tools. Objectives: The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of the effect of physical activity as a treatment modality for overweight and obesity. Moreover, this will address the methods of objective monitoring of physical activity and related energy expenditure, along with consideration of these technologies within the context of intervention programs for weight loss. Major findings: Physical activity without a reduction in energy intake appears to result in weight loss ranging from 1–3 kg. Portable multisensor devices have been shown to provide an acceptable estimate of energy expenditure resulting from physical activity. It may be beneficial to incorporate these devices and this technology within the context of weight control interventions to facilitate accurate self-monitoring of physical activity behaviour. Moreover, inclusion of these devices and technology within lifestyle interventions facilitates weight loss in overweight and obese adults. Conclusions: Physical activity is an important lifestyle behaviour in the treatment of overweight and obesity. Interventions should consider the inclusion of objective monitoring of physical activity to facilitate self-monitoring of this behaviour and to enhance physical activity participation, which appears to improve weight loss.

摘要 背景：超重和肥胖在美国以及全球都是重大的公共卫生问题。体力活动一直被推荐为治疗超重和肥胖的一种重要生活方式行为。使用便携式设备对体力活动进行客观监测可能会加深对体力活动在体重调节中作用的理解，并且这些设备可能被证明是有效的干预工具。 目的：本文的目的是概述体力活动作为超重和肥胖治疗方式的效果。此外，还将阐述体力活动及相关能量消耗的客观监测方法，并在减肥干预项目的背景下考虑这些技术。 主要发现：在不减少能量摄入的情况下，体力活动似乎可导致1 - 3千克的体重减轻。便携式多传感器设备已被证明能够对体力活动产生的能量消耗提供可接受的估算。在体重控制干预措施中纳入这些设备和技术可能有益于促进对体力活动行为的准确自我监测。此外，在生活方式干预中纳入这些设备和技术有助于超重和肥胖成年人减轻体重。 结论：体力活动是治疗超重和肥胖的一种重要生活方式行为。干预措施应考虑纳入对体力活动的客观监测，以促进对这种行为的自我监测并提高体力活动的参与度，这似乎有助于改善减肥效果。