from the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior
Exercise does not seem to help much for some overweight or obese people. So why bother? The answer comes in a study reported by the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. Even without significant weight loss, exercise improves brain function. The German researchers learned exercise helps insulin sensitivity in the brain and improves cognition in overweight people. The study showed brain functions important for metabolism “normalized” after only eight weeks. Exercise also increased blood flow in areas of the brain important for motor control and reward behavior. So even if the overweight person does not lose much weight from exercise, it may still improve brain function. We can all use that.