Researchers at the School of Public Health at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), have found that completing brisk interval walking once per week can reduce body fat and improve cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with central obesity. The benefits were comparable to those seen in participants who exercised three times per week, which is the frequency commonly recommended in traditional exercise guidance.

The findings support once weekly brisk interval walking as a practical therapeutic option for adults with central obesity, especially those who have difficulty fitting several workouts into their schedules. The study was published in Nature Communications.

A More Practical Approach to Reducing Body Fat

Obesity is a chronic health condition involving an unhealthy buildup of body fat. Fat that accumulates around the abdomen is especially concerning because it is associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and a higher risk of premature death.

Exercise plays an important role in managing obesity and offers a wide range of health benefits. Even so, many people, particularly those living with obesity, struggle to maintain regular physical activity over time.