Effects of strength training on intra-abdominal adipose tissue in obese prepubertal girls.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of strength training on fat distribution and its relationship to glucose tolerance in obese prepubertal girls.


METHODS
A strength training intervention study was designed in which the children exercised three times per week for 5 months. Twelve healthy, obese prepubertal girls (ages 7-10 yr, > 95th percentile weight for height) were enrolled in the study. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography, and glucose tolerance was measured by a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test at baseline and after training.


RESULTS
Significant increases in height, weight, fat-free mass, fat mass, and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue occurred after training (P < 0.05), whereas intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) remained stable (N = 11). Insulin area was highly correlated with IAAT before (r = 0.91) and after (r = 0.90) training (both P < 0.01, N = 9).


CONCLUSIONS
In growing obese prepubertal girls undergoing a strength training program, IAAT remains unchanged, whereas subcutaneous abdominal fat and total body fat increased; insulin area is related to IAAT in these children.
Treuth
M S
MS
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mtreuth@bcm.tmc.edu
Hunter
G R
GR
Figueroa-Colon
R
R
Goran
M I
MI
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011627:Puberty; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000193:education / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose