Aims: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects of Ex (exercise training) vs. DI (dietary intervention) vs. combined Ex and DI on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) in adults with overweight and obesity.
Data synthesis: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify original articles published until March 2022, using keywords for the categories "exercise training," "dietary intervention," "overweight and obesity," and "randomized." Studies that included lipid profiles as outcomes and performed in adults with body mass indexes (BMIs) ≥ 25 kg/m2 were included. A total of 80 studies involving 4804 adult participants were included in the meta-analysis. Ex was not as effective as DI for reducing TC and TG and was less effective for reducing LDL. In addition, Ex increased HDL to a greater extent than DI. Combined interventions decreased TC, TG, and LDL but did not increase HDL more than Ex alone. Combined interventions failed to reduce TC or LDL but decreased TG and increased HDL more than DI alone.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that the combination of Ex and DI can be more effective than either Ex or DI alone in improving lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity.
Keywords: Dietary intervention; Exercise training; Lipid profiles; Obesity.
Copyright © 2023 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.