The Impact of Resistance Exercises, Aerobic Training, and a Calorie-Deficit Diet in Overweight Individuals: A Comparative Study

A bstract Introduction: Obesity and overweightness are linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The primary cause is energy imbalance and lack of exercise. Generally, interventions including resistance training (RT), aerobic training (AT), and calorie-deficit diets (CDDs) are effective strategies for weight management. Objective: This study compared the short-term effects of RT, AT, and CDD on body weight and body mass index (BMI) reduction in overweight individuals from an urban population. Materials and Methods: Thirty overweight participants were randomly assigned to RT, AT, or CDD groups for 6 weeks of intervention. Body weight and BMI were measured before and after the intervention. Data were collected using American Obesity Foundation questionnaires and analyzed for statistical significance. Results: All three interventions significantly reduced body weight and BMI ( P < 0.05). The CDD group showed an average weight loss of 2.6 kg, with the weight decreasing from 73.17 kg to 70.57 kg. In the RT group, weight decrements from 82.22 kg to 79.83 kg were observed, and the AT group showed a weight reduction from 79.29 kg to 76.53 kg. AT produced the greatest weight loss, whereas RT additionally improved muscle strength. Conclusion: AT was the most effective short-term strategy for weight loss. CDD produced rapid results but may present challenges in adherence. RT offered the added benefit of improved muscle strength. These findings support the efficacy of short-term weight management strategies and highlight the need for larger studies examining long-term outcomes and body composition changes.