Benefits of physical activity on cardiometabolic diseases in obese children and adolescents

Abstract

In the past few decades, obesity in the pediatric population has dramatically increased and is common in many countries. Childhood obesity often causes health problems and increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, nonalcohol fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity in young people has been closely associated with environmental, behavioral, and genetic defects, including the availability of high-energy and sugary food and beverages, sedentary behavior, and hereditary factors. Few drugs are currently available to treat obesity in children and adolescents because it is difficult to demonstrate the safety of these drugs on the growth and development of the youth. Lifestyle modifications, such as diet control and physical exercise, are the primary approaches for preventing and treating childhood obesity. Among them, physical activity is a crucial component. This review summarizes the epidemiology, cardiometabolic risk of obesity, therapeutic strategies, and the benefits of exercise on obesity-related chronic diseases in children and adolescents.

Effect of a Supervised Exercise Program on Overweight and Obese Adolescents in the School Environment: A Pretest-Posttest Design

“…Studies show that decreases in BMI and other anthropometric parameters are positively associated with physical exercise implemented in school environments, according to interventions of 12 weeks or 60 sessions, which corroborate our results. 12,23,29,42,43 The types of physical exercises implemented in this study are in line with other similar studies also showing a decreased effect on the thickness of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds in body fat composition; in the measurements of the arm, waist, and NC; and in blood glucose levels, producing a positive impact on the control of body mass. 23,29 These measures decrease because of increased energy expenditure produced by physical exercises involving large muscle groups, which positively affect body mass control.…”

“…Other studies have also demonstrated the efficiency of 12-week aerobic and resistance exercise programs, combined or not, in reducing blood glucose, lipid, and blood pressure levels in adolescents, indicating both cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. 10,12,[45][46][47][48] These results may be explained by the increased energy expenditure produced by physical exercise that provides cardiorespiratory adaptations, guaranteeing the supply of substrates to the muscles, increasing insulin sensitivity, and stimulating the production of cytokines capable of influencing anti-inflammatory actions and inflammatory and metabolic parameters deranged by excess adipose tissue. 12,47 Regarding blood pressure, regular physical exercises increase endothelial vasodilator capacity, and positively affecting blood flow.…”

“…10,12,[45][46][47][48] These results may be explained by the increased energy expenditure produced by physical exercise that provides cardiorespiratory adaptations, guaranteeing the supply of substrates to the muscles, increasing insulin sensitivity, and stimulating the production of cytokines capable of influencing anti-inflammatory actions and inflammatory and metabolic parameters deranged by excess adipose tissue. 12,47 Regarding blood pressure, regular physical exercises increase endothelial vasodilator capacity, and positively affecting blood flow. In addition, exercises decrease the ventricular ejection force and cardiac overload 49 causing a series of physiological responses resulting from autonomic and hemodynamic adaptations that influence the cardiovascular system to maintain cellular homeostasis when facing increased metabolic demands.…”

“…[5][6][7] Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by the process of excessive accumulation of body fat, manifested within metabolic tissues, including adipose tissue and liver, and may be induced by the release of different cytokines and adipokines, harming both quality of life and longevity. 2,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Moreover, this epidemic has not only affected adults, but it has also alarmingly affected children and youth worldwide. 7 Additional negative factors caused by obesity concern psychosocial aspects, such as decreased self-esteem, social stigma, isolation, and the worsening of quality of life and health, which may extend into adulthood.…”

“…Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by the process of excessive accumulation of body fat, manifested within metabolic tissues, including adipose tissue and liver, and may be induced by the release of different cytokines and adipokines, harming both quality of life and longevity. 2,8-14 Moreover, this epidemic has not only affected adults, but it has also alarmingly affected children and youth worldwide. 7…”