OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effectiveness of home-based exercise combined with a slight caloric restriction on weight change during 12 months in non-obese women. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial with a factorial design was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Two hundred three middle-aged women (Rio de Janeiro/Brazil), 25 to 45 years, were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control (CG) and home-based exercise (HB). The HB group received a booklet on aerobic exercise that could be practiced at home (3 times/week 40 min/session), in low-moderate intensity, during 12 months. Both groups received dietary counseling aimed at a slight energy restriction of 100 to 300 calories per day. RESULTS: The HB experienced a greater weight loss in the first 6 months (-1.4 versus -0.8 kg; p = 0.04), but after 12 months there was no differences between groups (-1.1 versus -1.0; p = 0.20). Of the serum biochemical markers, HDL cholesterol showed major change, with an increase at month 12 of 18.3mg/dl in the HB compared to 9.5 in the CG (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Home-based exercise promoted greater weight reduction during the first 6 months after which no further benefits are observed. Continuous favorable changes in HDL cholesterol after 1 year suggest that home-based exercise promote health benefits.
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