In February 2020 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess how obesity and trying to lose weight are associated with: (1) up to 5 physically active days per week with over 60 minutes physical activity; (2) playing with video computer games of over 3 hours per day on average; (3) no participation in any sports team in the past year; and (4) drinking soda more than twice a day. A total of 13,583 adolescents were included in the study. Information for analysis was taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance data. Results showed that both being obese and trying to lose weight were significantly associated with physical inactivity. Drinking carbonated drinks/soda was also associated with being obese. However, girls appeared to avoid drinking carbonated drinks/soda as a strategy for losing weight but not boys. Trying to lose weight was seen to be associated with a higher likelihood of physical inactivity in both sexes.
Heo M, Wylie-Rosett J. Being obese versus trying to lose weight: Relationship with physical inactivity and soda drinking among high school students. J Sch Health. 2020 Feb 5. [Epub ahead of print]