A new study published in the journal Obesity suggests that exercising between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. may be beneficial for weight loss. The study found that individuals who worked out in the morning had a lower waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) compared to those who exercised during midday or evening.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, analyzed data from 5,285 people who participated in the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants wore activity trackers for four to seven days and had their BMI and waist circumference recorded.
The findings revealed that individuals who exercised in the morning had an average BMI of 27.5, while those who exercised midday or evening had a BMI of 28.3 on average. Waist circumference was also lower in morning exercisers compared to midday and evening exercisers.
These results remained consistent across various demographic factors and regardless of meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes per week. The study’s lead author, Dr. Tongyu Ma, plans to conduct further research to confirm the findings and explore the potential causal relationship between exercising in the morning and weight loss.
Experts believe that the time of day for exercise may impact weight loss due to both physiological and lifestyle factors. Morning exercisers may have more predictable schedules, allowing for better consistency in their workouts. Additionally, morning exercise in a fasted state may enhance fat oxidation during and after the workout, leading to greater weight loss.
However, it is important to note that the study did not directly prove a cause-and-effect relationship between morning exercise and weight loss, as participants’ BMI and waist size were not measured after the activity tracking period.
Overall, the study suggests that incorporating exercise into your morning routine may be beneficial for weight loss efforts. However, individual preferences and schedules should also be taken into account when determining the best time to exercise.
Sources:
– [Study published in Obesity](source)
– [CNN article](source)
