More energy and better mental health
- Published in
- Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2011
- People studied
- 439
In a one-year trial of 439 women after menopause with overweight or obesity, diet plus exercise did better than no programme. Energy, mental health and everyday physical function improved, and stress fell.
- Checked against
- PubMed 22026966
- Published in
- Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2011
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
439 women with overweight or obesity after menopause were randomly assigned to a weight-loss diet, exercise, both, or no programme for 12 months. Compared with the control group, diet plus exercise improved 4 parts of quality of life (physical function, physical limits on daily roles, energy and mental health) and lowered stress. Diet alone improved energy, and exercise alone did not improve quality of life more than no programme. Across all groups, losing more weight went with bigger gains.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial with four groups
- People studied
- 439
- How long
- 12 months
- Compared with
- women with no diet or exercise programme
- Main result
- Diet plus exercise improved energy and mental health and lowered stress, compared with no programme.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
Only women after menopause, in one city. Quality of life was self-reported, and the link between weight lost and bigger gains is an association, not proof of cause.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on brain and mood
- Fewer depression symptomsRandomised trials · Rubin et al., Diabetes Care 2014
- Small gains in memoryLong-term or observational studies · Siervo et al., Obes Rev 2011
- Better mental quality of lifeRandomised trials · Jones et al., Obes Rev 2021
- Sharper thinking in older ageRandomised trials · Napoli et al., Am J Clin Nutr 2014
- Fewer low moods on a lower-calorie dietRandomised trials · Paris et al., Adv Nutr 2024
- Better body imageLong-term or observational studies · Chao, PLoS One 2015
- More energy and better mental healthRandomised trials · Imayama et al., Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2011
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