Nutrition Cafe > How can Physical Activity Help Prevent You from Becoming Overweight? Physical activity, along with a healthy diet, plays an important role in the prevention of overweight and obesity. In order to maintain one's weight, the amount of calories used should equal the amount of calories consumed. The body burns calories for everyday functions such as breathing, digestion, and routine daily activities. But many people eat more calories than they burn each day. A good way to burn off extra calories and prevent weight gain is through leisure time physical activity. Balance Your Food Intake and Your Activity One small chocolate chip cookie (50 calories) is equivalent to walking briskly for 10 minutes. The difference between a large gourmet chocolate chip cookie and a small chocolate chip cookie could be about 40 minutes of raking leaves (200 calories). One hour of walking at a moderate pace (20 min/mile) uses about the same amount of energy that is in one jelly filled doughnut (300 calories). A fast food "meal" containing a double patty cheeseburger, extra-large fries and a 24 oz. soft drink is equal to running 2 hours at a 10 min/mile pace (1500 calories). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention < Back to Nutrition Cafe