Think exercise leads to weight loss? 5 reason why science says it might not. Does it matter then?
Published on: Feb. 8, 2026, 4:57 p.m. | Source: The Economic Times
Regular exercise is widely seen as a key tool for weight loss, but growing scientific evidence suggests it may not be as effective as many people expect. Research shows that when people exercise more, their bodies often compensate by conserving energy elsewhere, reducing the overall calorie burn. This effect can be even stronger when exercise is combined with dieting, sometimes cancelling out the extra effort entirely. Studies also indicate that diet, especially the intake of ultra-processed foods, plays a much larger role in weight gain than physical activity alone.
