Effects of aerobic exercise combined with resistance training on body composition and metabolic health in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xuan Liu, Qiang Li, FuXiang Lu, Dongsheng Zhu

Journal: Frontiers in public health 2024;12():1409660

PMID: 39185113

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Plain Language Summary

Recent studies have found that regular participation in exercise not only improves self-efficacy and awareness of exercise in children with obesity but also has a role in controlling weight gain and the development of mental health in children with obesity. This study aimed to examine the impact of combining aerobic exercise (AE) with resistance training (RT) on body composition and indicators of metabolic health in young individuals who are overweight or obese. This research was a systematic review and meta-analysis of twenty-nine studies with a total of 2,195 children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Results showed that AE+RT was found to be effective in improving several health indicators (except high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Additionally, AE + RT increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in children. Authors concluded that based on the current evidence, the recommended exercise prescription is at least three sessions of more than 60min per week for 12 weeks or more for better health benefits.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

To systematically review the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on Metabolic Health in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.

METHODS

Employing a retrieval strategy that combines subject terms and free terms, searches were conducted in the CNKI, WanFangData, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to October 31, 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies involving 2,195 subjects were included. The combination of aerobic and resistance training significantly reduces body composition and metabolic health in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity, as evidenced by changes in various parameters (BMI, WC, FM, BF%, VO, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, HOMA-IR, FPG, INS). However, there were no significant differences observed in hs-CRP. Subgroup analyses further showed that changes in intervention measurement had a significant effect on the effectiveness of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Aerobic exercise combined with resistance training has a positive impact on the physical health of children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. The recommended exercise prescription is at least three sessions of more than 60 min per week for 12 weeks or more for better health benefits.

Address: Department of Physical Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China.

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1409660