Endocrine Abstracts

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. There are still major gaps in our understanding both of overall effective weight management strategies and physical activity alone as a weight management strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 18 week monthly group exercise education program on weight, physical activity, cardiovascular fitness, quality of life and attitudes to exercise in obese Irish females. Eighteen obese females were recruited the waiting list of a Weight Management Service (mean age 37.6 years, mean weight 117.9 kg, mean BMI 43.5 kg/m²). The subjects attended 4 education sessions on physical activity over an 18 week period. Subjects’ weight/BMI were recorded and subjects completed the Incremental Shuttle Walk test (ISWT), International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ - Short), Impact of Weight on Quality of Life questionnaire, short form (IWQOL – Lite) and an Opinions/knowledge questionnaire at baseline and at 18 weeks. There were non-significant decreases in subjects’ weight (0.7 kg, P=0.444), BMI (0.3 kg/m², P=0.407) and non-significant improvements in IPAQ results (104 MET·min·week⁻¹, P=0.496) and IWQOL – Lite scores (P=0.337). Cardiovascular fitness (CRF), measured by ISWT, improved significantly from 18.00 to 19.87 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (P=0.0002). The importance placed on physical activity by subjects increased by 12% and attitudes towards exercise improved as shown by decreased barriers to exercise (shyness and increased energy) and increased enjoyment and participation. The education programme on physical activity did not produce significant changes in weight loss, BMI, self-reported physical activity or quality of life measures. There was a significant increase in CRF which has been shown to have considerable effects on morbidity and mortality even in the absence of weight loss. Further studies could investigate if a longer duration (>1 year) may allow subjects time to make the necessary lifestyle changes to increase physical activity and achieve weight loss.