Sixteen RCTs2–17 were identified that had
compared weight loss in groups assigned physical
activity alone with that in groups assigned
no intervention. A summary of the findings of
these RCTs is included in Table 1. Of note, we
excluded from our analysis studies in which
individuals were specifically counseled to
maintain their baseline body weight during
the course of the intervention, such as the
STRRIDE (Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction
Intervention through Defined Exercise) study.18
In almost all these studies the average BMI was
between 25 and 30 kg/m2.