On the scales: Exercising helps dieters preserve bone strength

When overweight people lose weight, they often lose bone mineral density as well, increasing their risk for osteoporosis. But new research suggests that losing weight with exercise rather than calorie restriction can preserve bone strength. ...

The diet group lost an average of about 17 pounds; the exercise group about 14 pounds. But the people on the low-calorie diet also lost bone mineral density -- more than 2 percent at the spine, hips and leg. Those in the exercise group experienced no significant change in bone density, and the controls lost neither weight nor bone density...

Dr. Dennis T. Villareal, the lead author of the study and an associate professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, recommends diet and exercise together in a weight-loss program. "That way, you get the weight loss benefits of the diet," he said, "but prevent the negative effect on bone health."

•	On the scales: Exercising helps dieters preserve bone strength Vital Signs The New York Times, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007 Byline: Nicholas Bakalar