Exercise management of obesity

Regular physical activity promotes cardiovascular health and weight loss an d maintenance. Studies have shown that physical fitness protects against ca rdiovascular disease and mortality, even in overweight individuals. Physici ans can play an important role in motivating patients to increase their phy sical activity. Physicians should encourage all patients to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week, and overwe ight or obese individuals should strive for 60 to 80 minutes per day. Physi cians should spend a few minutes counseling their patients about physical a ctivity, recommending the use of behavioral strategies such as self-monitor ing and problem solving to overcome such barriers to physical activity.