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Can people lose weight by walking?

Page last modified on: October 21, 2008
Question from Patty: Do you think people can lose weight walking? What about a weighted vest? I have been doing some research on this.
Answer —Melinda Irwin, Ph.D., M.P.H.: Definitely, people can lose weight walking. In a study I published a couple of years ago in JAMA, while we showed modest weight loss with exercise—about 3 pounds over a year—we showed up to 10 percent loss in abdominal body fat. So sometimes your walking program may not lead to a change on the scale, but a change in your belt loop or waist size.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Weight Management During and After Breast Cancer Treatment. Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. and Melinda Irwin Ph.D., M.P.H. answered your questions on managing weight during and after breast cancer treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. is an associate professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona - with joint appointments in medicine and public health.

Melinda Irwin, Ph.D., M.P.H. is an assistant professor in the department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale School of Medicine.

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