Exercise Program Improves Pediatric Cardiometabolic Health

A study published in JAMA Network Open on July 27, 2023, evaluated the effects of implementing an exercise program for overweight and obese children on cardiometabolic and mental health. Researchers noted significant improvements in cardiometabolic health without any notable changes in mental health.

The parallel group randomized clinical trial ran from November 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016, in Granada, Spain. Overweight and obese children 8–11 years old were randomized to a control group or an exercise program of three to five 90-minute aerobic and resistance workout sessions per week over 20 weeks.

Researchers conducted a secondary data analysis between February 1, 2022, and July 14, 2022. To evaluate cardiometabolic outcomes, researchers evaluated data on body composition, including fat mass, fat-free mass, and visceral adipose tissue. Additionally, physical and traditional risk factors were analyzed, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, speed, agility, muscularity, waist circumference, insulin levels, and blood pressure.

The researchers explained, “Cardiometabolic risk score (z score) was calculated based on age and sex reference values for levels of triglycerides, inverted high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose, the mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and waist circumference. An additional cardiometabolic risk score also included cardiorespiratory fitness.”

Overall, the cardiometabolic risk score declined by 0.38 for patients enrolled in the exercise programs. Additionally, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels dropped an average of 7.00 mg/dL. The program also reduced body and fat mass indexes by 0.59 and 0.67, respectively. Finally, the visceral adipose tissue decreased by 31.44 g.

Researchers also focused on psychological indicators to assess mental health outcomes but found no significant changes.

“In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, an aerobic plus resistance exercise program improved cardiometabolic health in children with overweight or obesity but did not affect mental health,” concluded researchers in the study.

Across the United States, obesity has become an epidemic, generating significant concern from public health officials and healthcare providers. Data from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) 2022 State of Obesity report estimates that nearly half of adults in the US are obese. This chronic condition also affected 19.7% of children between 2017 and 2022.

The widespread impacts of obesity include a significant decline in life expectancy, worsened quality of life, limited physical activity, changes in energy levels, and increased risk of chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, and other respiratory disorders.

Updated clinical guidelines for pediatric obesity from the American Academy of Pediatrics promoted early interventions to manage pediatric weight. With additional insights into the benefits of an exercise program on pediatric weight management, healthcare professionals must determine what role it will play in weight management practices.