Physical sporting activity impact on long-term BMI trajectories in Dutch adults: a longitudinal observational study

In this large population-based sample from the Netherlands, sporting activity intensity showed a statistically significant but overall small impact on BMI trajectories, with the largest benefits concentrated in younger adults and individuals with obesity. These findings stress the importance of early and sustained engagement in higher-intensity sporting activities for weight management, while also pointing to the need for comprehensive strategies-including dietary interventions and medical options-for individuals with severe obesity or advanced age for whom high intensity sporting activities are not appropriate. Clinicians should provide realistic counselling about the expected magnitude of BMI change from sports alone and tailor recommendations to patients' weight status and functional capacity.