They say you can't out-exercise a bad diet when it comes to dieting, and now a new study seems to have confirmed that fitness really isn't key to weight control.

Forget a punishing session at the gym, because it seems that you may be far better off monitoring your eating habits if weight loss is your main aim, as the Daily Mail reports.

The study by Loyola University Chicago asked adult participants from different countries, including the US and Ghana, to wear tracking devices on their waists for a week, measuring their energy expenditure and step count. Vital statistics were taken, including their weight, height and body fat. The volunteers were then asked to return one year later, and again a year after that.

And the results were pretty telling... In each country, the volunteers who met standard fitness guidelines – two and a half hours of moderate exercise per week –were MORE likely to have gained weight than those who hadn't.

Dr Lara Dugas, lead author of the study, told the Daily Mail: 'The media is telling us that that more physical activity is needed to manage weight.

'But we saw that what actually predicted weight gain was your baseline starting weight – whether you were already overweight or obese when started or you needed to gain more weight.'

She added that it was diet that actually a bigger part in weight management: 'The problem is the intake side of the equation. There's not enough emphasis on what our portion sizes are and what we're eating than what is the sexiest, or latest fad diet.'

However, it's important to note that exercise is essential for your health, helping to lower your risk of developing the likes of heart disease and diabetes. So please don't use this as an excuse to give up your workout regime!

'Physical activity is very important,' Dr Dugas added. 'It is the number one predictor of mortality and morbidity.

'But we're trying to change the mindset that exercise is what slims you down. What we would say is exercise well for your heart, but eat well for your weight.'

Francesca Rice Francesca is the Deputy Digital Editor at Good Housekeeping, mostly covering fashion and beauty for the site with a sideline in all things royal.

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