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You can't outrun a bad diet

You can't outrun a bad diet

Scientists have sparked debate about the real villain in obesity after claiming that no amount of exercise will make up for people eating too much sugar and carbohydrates.

Writing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, American and South African researchers said that even elite athletes could not "outrun a bad diet" and were better off loading up on high-fat, low-carb foods rather than carbohydrates before intense exercise.

While regular exercise helped stave off serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dementia, an overload of sugars and carbohydrates created more ill health than physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol combined, they said.

The researchers criticised the food industry's celebrity endorsements of sugary drinks and links between junk food and sport, and called on health clubs and gyms to stop selling unhealthy products.

"The 'health halo' legitimisation of nutritionally deficient products is misleading and unscientific," they wrote.

"Sugar calories promote fat storage and hunger."

The claims have divided Australian experts, with sports dietitian Joanne McMillan agreeing many people had extra kilojoules in the belief they could work them off through exercise.

Tom Wycherley, from the University of South Australia's school of population health, said regular exercise had many health benefits and should be strongly endorsed.

Jane Martin, from the Obesity Policy Coalition, said that highly processed food made up a big part of Australian diets and many were rich in carbohydrates and added sugar.

CSIRO research director for nutrition and health Manny Noakes said it was a myth that sugar and carbohydrate were solely responsible for obesity.

Dietitian Bill Shrapnel said it was not new research, only an opinion piece by researchers known for their unconventional views.