2.
阅读短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
A new study, a project of the researchers
from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, finds the fitness tracker
probably does not help with weight loss.
The devices are designed to record your
physical activity. They are usually worn around the wrist, where they measure a
person's heart rate. The research team looked at two groups of individuals. The
first wore a fitness tracker and took part in health counseling (咨询) with experts to
consider the best weight-loss plan. The researchers compared this group with
people who only got health counseling.
The study found that those only speaking
with the health experts lost nearly 6 kilograms, but those using a fitness
tracker lost only 3.5 kilograms. John Jakicic, the lead researcher, questioned
the use of electronic devices for weight control in place of "effective
behavioral counseling for physical activity and diet."
The study involved 470 subjects aged
between 18 and 35. Some of them were overweight, while others were considered
obese (肥胖的). Over three fourths of the subjects were women. All the subjects
were told to increase physical activity and start on a low-calorie diet. They
had their weight measured once every six months. After six months, researchers
divided the group into two parts: one continued with monthly counseling, while
members of the other group were given a fitness tracker. Eighteen months later,
both groups "showed significant improvements in fitness, physical
activity, and diet," with no major difference between groups. However,
when it came to losing weight, the people who only spoke with experts lost
nearly twice as much weight.
Jakicic said, "the study's findings
are important because effective long-term treatments are needed to address
America's obesity." More information is needed, he added, to learn how to
best use these devices to change "physical activity and diet behaviors"
in adults who want to lose weight.