Physical activity has many health benefits, ranging from reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to improving mental health and mood, but according to new research exercise does not help you lose weight.

While the preponderance of research has found that exercise is not effective for weight control, these findings generally have not been communicated to the general public. “This crucial part of the public health message is not appreciated in recommendations to be more active, walk up stairs, and eat more fruits and vegetables,” authors said. “The prescription needs to be precise: there is only one effective way to lose weight – eat fewer calories.”

While physical activity is crucially important for improving overall health and fitness levels, there is limited evidence to suggest that it can blunt the surge in obesity, authors wrote in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

If activity increases, appetite also increases and you compensate by eating more food, Cooper and Luke said. Regardless of increasing physical activity, calorie control remains key to losing and maintaining weight.

The food and beverage industry has tried to divert attention from calorie consumption by promoting the theory that lack of physical exercise is a major cause of obesity. 

https://www.loyolamedicine.org/news/stritch-school-medicine-research-finds-exercise-alone-does-not-help-weight-loss-09182015