The 128+4pp magazine is currently owned by Hubert Burda Media UK, but will sit alongside Men's Fitness in the Dennis portfolio.

Health & Fitness has an ABC audited circulation of 35,436 copies from January to July 2009, up more than 15% on the last period and is the first women's title published by Dennis since Shape, which closed in March 2004.

It is currently printed by Polestar and a Dennis spokesperson said there were no immediate plans to change this.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but editorial and advertising staff will move over to Dennis Publishing's London offices.

James Tye, CEO at Dennis Publishing, said: "The acquisition of Health & Fitness underlines our commitment to grow our publishing presence in the UK fitness market. This is in line with our intent to continue to grow Dennis Publishing as a whole and this is now the fourth acquisition we have made in the last 12 months. As a brand, Health & Fitness has tremendous potential, in print, online and overseas."