New research reveals anti-inflammatory benefits of exercise for adults living with obesity

A study presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity has shown moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise, in adults living with obesity, helped reduce inflammation.

Previous research has established that excessive fat accumulation in fat cells leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, characterised by chronically elevated levels of damaging compounds known as proinflammatory cytokines, which contribute to the development of metabolic diseases.

This latest research investigated if combing exercise with weight loss drugs could reduce chronic low-grade inflammation. Based on 195 Danish adults with obesity, but no history of diabetes, the participants first followed an eight-week low calorie diet and lost at least five per cent of their body weight.

Participants were then randomised to one year of treatment with either usual activity plus placebo, just exercise, liraglutide plus usual activity, or a combination of both exercise and liraglutide treatment to maintain the weight loss.

Lead author Professor Signe Torekov, University of Copenhagen, said: “Our findings show that performing exercise according to guideline recommendations was the most effective strategy to reduce chronic low-grade inflammation.

"Liraglutide treatment did not reduce inflammation more than placebo, and adding liraglutide to exercise did not reduce inflammation further. These findings emphasise the benefits of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity in reducing the low-grade inflammation of obesity that could help prevent related metabolic diseases."