Washington, Aug 20 - Leading exercise and weight management experts have strongly objected to assertions that exercise can inhibit weight loss by over-stimulating the appetite.

'There is strong evidence from the majority of the scientific literature that physical activity is an important component for initial weight loss,' said John Jakicic, fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Responding to a statement recently published online and in print, Jakicic said: 'The statement 'in general, for weight loss, exercise is pretty useless' is not supported by scientific evidence when there is adherence to a sufficient dose of physical activity in overweight and obese adults.'

According to Jakicic and other experts, overwhelming evidence belies the assertion that exercise doesn't necessarily help people lose weight and may even make the task harder.