The Therapeutic Effect of Different Exercise Intensities on Weight Loss in Obese Children

Summary

The incidence of childhood obesity is increasing, followed by metabolic diseases related to overweight and obesity in children. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has recently been shown to improve the body composition and cardiovascular health of obese children. Currently, there is little evidence on the impact of exercise intensity on endocrine and metabolic indicators and quality of life in obese children.

The main purpose of this study is to compare the effects of short-term supervised high-intensity interval training and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on metabolic indicators in obese children under an energy limited balanced diet. A multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on 388 obese children in South China. The experimental group will be randomly assigned to (1) HIIT and energy limited balanced diet, and (2) MICT and energy limited balanced diet. The experimental group will participate in a 3-month (supervised) exercise training. The measurement of the study endpoint will be followed up at baseline, 3 months (after supervised intervention), 9 months, and 1 year. The primary endpoint is the percentage of weight loss (△ Wt%). Secondary endpoints include waist to height ratio, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), insulin secretion index (ISI), and Δ HtSDSBA. The results of this study will generate a wealth of information on the impact of exercise intensity on weight loss and endocrine metabolism in obese children, and develop more effective evidence-based exercise prescription guidelines in this population.

Conditions

• Weight Loss
• Obese Children and Adolescents

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

high-intensity interval training

High-intensity interval training (to significantly faster breathing, a significant increase in breathing depth, a significant increase in heart rate, sweating, and the need to stop exercising and adjust your breathing before you can speak; Energy expenditure (METy ≥6.00 in children) : Participants randomly assigned to HIIT will perform a 10-minute warm-up at 60-70% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax). After this, they will walk, run, or bike at 85-95% of their maximum heart rate for four sessions of four minutes each, with three minutes of active recovery (50-70% of their maximum heart rate) in between. The participants were given a five-minute cooling-off period at the end, for a total of 40 minutes of exercise. Participants will be required to participate in supervised exercise classes at least five times and up to seven times a week for 12 weeks. Each participant will be free to wear a smart electronic sports bracelet, which can be used to punch in sports.

BEHAVIORAL

moderate intensity continuous training

Moderate intensity continuous training (rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, slight sweating, but still able to talk easily; Energy expenditure (children METy) 3.00 to 5.99) : Participants randomly assigned to the MICT group will walk, run, or cycle continuously for 40 minutes at 60-70% HRmax. Participants will be required to participate in supervised exercise classes at least five times and up to seven times a week for 12 weeks. Each participant will be free to wear a smart electronic sports bracelet, which can be used to punch in sports.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

16 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-05-01

Primary Completion

2026-12-30

Completion

2026-12-30