Final answer:
Exercise helps with weight control by increasing the body's metabolic rate, leading to more calories being burnt even at rest. It also improves cardiovascular fitness and builds lean tissue, contributing to a higher resting metabolism and better overall health.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Exercise Helps with Weight Control
Exercise aids in weight control primarily by increasing the body's metabolic rate. When you engage in physical activity, your body requires more energy, leading to the burning of calories. During exercise, the body's energy transfer through both heat and work raises your metabolic rate, which is the rate at which the body burns calories. This increase in metabolic rate continues even when you are at rest, meaning that more calories are burnt even during periods of inactivity.
Furthermore, regular exercise enhances cardiovascular health by improving cardiovascular fitness, lowering blood pressure, and increasing insulin sensitivity. It builds extra lean tissue, which is more metabolically active than fat tissue. This contributes to a higher baseline metabolic rate so that calories are burnt more efficiently throughout the day.
In addition to these metabolic improvements, exercise also benefits muscle strength, bone density, and may increase immune function. It can reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Hence, consistent physical activity is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and effective weight management.