Obese women should ditch dieting for exercise after new research found that simply losing weight is not enough.And people who have been told to lose a few pounds can indulge in the odd bar of chocolate without feeling guilty.

A new study claims that exercise is the key to being healthy rather then slimming down. Women who took part in 4 hours of gentle exercise every week over a three-month period saw thier cholesterol, blod pressure and heart rates signifigantly reduced. They also lost a few pounds. The 62 women who took part in the classes were less depressed, more sociable and had fewer medical problems relating to obesity. Dr Erica Borkoles, of the school of Sport, Exercise and Physical Education at the Leeds Metropolitan University, said doctors should stop pressing patients to simply lose weight. She added "the message from this research is that you can be fit and fat.Fitness attenuates the dangerous effects of fatness.If we are fit and overweight we are healthier than someone unfit who is a healthy weight."

The study followed two groups of women aged between 25 and 55 who were seriously obese. Volunteers had thier blood pressure measured along with thier body mass index, metabolic markers and levels if triglycerides-fats which convert to bad cholesterol.   One group was asked to eat only when hungry and take part in weekly gym classes. The other group were told to continue living as before.  

After 3 months the women doing exercise were far happier and healthier.   Dr Borkoles said; "I would recommend that if you are obese, do not go on a diet but change the way you eat"

added: 15/12/06
source: Daily Express