Researchers followed 130 people with severe obesity for one year after a low-calorie diet. On average the participants had lost weight before the study started. They were then placed into four groups: exercise only, liraglutide only (a weight-loss medication), exercise plus liraglutide, and placebo.
After one year the people who exercised had healthier blood vessels and lower inflammation. The liraglutide-only and placebo groups did not show this vascular improvement. Combining exercise with medication led to more weight loss and better markers of blood-vessel function. The exercise was moderate, about two and a half hours per week, and activity was measured with heart-rate monitors.
Difficult words
- obesity — very high body weight with health risks
- low-calorie diet — eating plan with fewer calories than usual
- liraglutide — a medicine people take to lose weightliraglutide only, liraglutide-only
- placebo — a fake treatment given to some people
- inflammation — body reaction that causes redness or swelling
- vascular — relating to the body's blood vessels
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you prefer exercise, medication, or both to lose weight? Why?
- Could you do about two and a half hours of exercise each week? What activities would you choose?
- Why might combining exercise and medication give more weight loss than medication alone?
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