Team Up To Lose Weight

Exercise is a great way to burn off calories and lower the chances of being overweight. However, picking the right type of exercise to fight body fat is crucial. A new study among kids shows that team sports may be the most effective at helping kids keep their weight down.

The study, performed by Dartmouth researchers, established that those who played sports were 27 percent less likely to be overweight and 39 percent less likely to be obese.

“Increasing sport participation in adolescents who do not play sports, are not athletic, or just not competitive may be challenging,” said lead author Keith Drake. “Because our estimates suggest that increasing sports participation among these adolescents would lead to the largest reduction in obesity, expanding non-competitive athletic opportunities, such as club sports and intramurals, should be prioritized.”

They also found that walking and biking, activities that may prevent obesity, were not as effective in reducing weight. Neither were gym classes.