Physical activity may not always lead to weight loss, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t improving your health.
Physical activity may cause changes to the way subcutaneous abdominal fat (belly fat) cells function. Belly fat cells that are not functioning optimally result in insulin resistance and other metabolic health problems, and may lead to type 2 diabetes. Over time, regular physical activity may cause changes in these cells that improve cardiometabolic health in adults with obesity.
A group of researchers compared the belly fat cells of 16 active participants with overweight or obesity to those of 16 sedentary individuals of similar body fat composition and found important differences Those who were routinely active had fat tissue with fewer inflammatory cells (macrophages) and a greater number of capillaries. These fat cells may function in ways that are better for cardiovascular health. This could contribute to the fact that the active individuals were less likely to have insulin resistance and more likely to have high HDL (good) cholesterol.
At this time, researchers don’t know how much or how long one needs to keep up regular activity to achieve these beneficial effects. The active individuals in this study had been engaging in activities that got their heart rate up (such as walking, jogging, swimming, biking, or playing pickle ball) regularly for at least two years. Do your best to meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity) a week. It can improve your health—at any weight.