Exercise therapy in obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes: Practical tips

Physical activity is a key therapeutic component in patients with obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. However, overall compliance of patients to increase physical activity is low, which is mainly dependent on a lack in communication skills of the treating physician regarding lifestyle implementation and long-term motivation of the patient. Therefore, physicians should be trained regarding exercise protocols for obese and diabetic patients including prescription of tailored exercise intervention including mode of exercise, intensity, duration and frequency. This should be combined with simple nutritional advices and regular consultation, a strategy that will eventually improve short- and long-term compliance to lifestyle intervention in these patients. © 2017, Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH.