Maintaining an exercise program can lower the amount of weight gained as a person found, according to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (abstract free, full article requires subscription).

Researchers tracked more than 6100 male and 2200 female runners over a period of seven years. Those who ran more than 48 kilometers per week (about four miles or 30-40 minutes a day) had one-half the weight gain of those who ran less over the study period.

NetSweat.com Comments: What is notable about this study is that a shows a benefit to maintaining a fitness program over the long-term. The lowest weight gain was observed among those who kept running at least 48 km per week over the entire seven-year period.