The results of the 17 RCTs are consistent with
those of an extensive 1997 meta-analysis by
Miller et al.,21 in which they reviewed 493 studies
(not limited to RCTs) published between 1969
and 1994 and which reported comparisons of
diet (224 studies), aerobic exercise (76 studies) or
diet plus aerobic exercise (119 studies) for weight
loss in healthy individuals. Diet alone (–10.7 kg)
and diet plus exercise (–11 kg) were superior
to exercise alone (–2.9 kg) in reducing weight;
however, there was no significant difference
between the diet and diet plus exercise groups.