Can metabolic function and physical fitness improve without weight loss for inactive, obese, Hispanic adolescents? A feasibility study

Physiother Theory Pract. 2017 Apr;33(4):278-288. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2017.1302538. Epub 2017 Mar 28.

Abstract

Introduction: A case series that examines the effects of a 12-week combined resistance and aerobic training program for four sedentary obese, Hispanic adolescents without weight loss.

Subjects/methods: Baseline and post-intervention anthropometric, metabolic and physical fitness measures were obtained. Body composition, hepatic, visceral, and intramuscular fat contents were analyzed via imaging. Fasting levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and C-reactive protein were obtained via blood samples.

Results: Two subjects decreased their glucose levels by 1.86% and 4.06%. Subjects 1, 3, and 4 increased their lean body mass by 4.12%, 9.70%, and 5.48%. ALT was reduced 13.0%, 16.0%, and 35.7% for subjects 2, 3, and 4, respectively. LDLs were reduced by 37.7%, 4.5%, and 7.5% for subjects 1, 2, and 3. Triglycerides were reduced by 25.4%, 37.8%, and 4.6% for subjects 1, 2, and 3. Visceral fat reductions by 16.5%, 14.2%, and 13.0% occurred for subjects 1, 2, and 3. C-reactive protein was reduced for subjects 1, 2, and 3 by 19.4%, 16.3%, and 32.0%.

Conclusion: Expected directions of change were made for most indicators of metabolic function and body composition, but measures of physical fitness improved for all four subjects.

Keywords: Hispanic; metabolic; obesity; weight loss.

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Exercise*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Health Status
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Pediatric Obesity / blood
  • Pediatric Obesity / diagnosis
  • Pediatric Obesity / ethnology
  • Pediatric Obesity / therapy*
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Resistance Training*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sedentary Behavior / ethnology*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • C-Reactive Protein