Which exercise interventions are more helpful in treating primary obesity in young adults? A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

Zikang Hao; Kerui Liu; Wenxiao Qi; Xiaodan Zhang; Lu Zhou; Ping Chen

doi:10.5114/aoms/153479

Which exercise interventions are more helpful in treating primary obesity in young adults? A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

Arch Med Sci. 2022 Sep 9;19(4):865-883. doi: 10.5114/aoms/153479. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Zikang Hao¹, Kerui Liu², Wenxiao Qi³, Xiaodan Zhang¹, Lu Zhou², Ping Chen¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
² Department of Sports Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Tai'an, China.
³ Sports Training College, Tianjing Institute of Physical Education, Tianjing, China.

Abstract

Introduction: Network meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of different exercise interventions in the treatment of obesity in young people and recommend the most suitable exercise method.

Material and methods: We searched five electronic databases for articles on obesity treatment in the youth population from inception to April 2022. The two researchers independently retrieved and screened the articles, carried out a quality assessment and data extraction, and carried out a network meta-analysis in the Bayesian framework in Stata software.

Results: A total of 32 original studies were included in the study, all randomized controlled trials (RCTs). High-intensity aerobic exercise may be the best way to reduce the weight of obese people; high-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training may be the best way to reduce BMI and FAT%; moderate-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training may be the best way to reduce the waistline; high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the best way to boost VO_2max.

Conclusions: Exercise interventions such as high-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training can be considered and promoted as a non-drug treatment for primary obesity in young adults.

Keywords: exercise prescription; network meta-analysis; obesity; young people.