Effects of an eight-month weight-control program on body composition and lipid oxidation rate during exercise in obese children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of an 8-month multidisciplinary weight-control program, including 2 h/week of moderate physical activity, nutritional education lessons and psychological follow-up, on body composition and lipid oxidation rate during exercise in obese children.


METHODS
Nineteen (7 boys and 12 girls) obese children, aged 8-12 yr [mean body mass index (BMI) z-score: 2.3 and fat mass: 35.8%] participated in this study. Before and at the end of the weight-control period body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, lipid oxidation rate by indirect calorimetry during a graded exercise test, and time devoted to various activities and energy intake in free-living conditions by questionnaire.


RESULTS
All children completed the study, at the end of which BMI decreased significantly by mean 0.6+/-0.5 and 0.5+/-0.8 kg/m2, in boys and girls, respectively (p<0.05), and fat mass (FM) decreased by 1.7+/-2.8 and 1.4+/-1.3 kg in boys and girls, respectively (p<0.05). In addition, lipid oxidation rate during exercise increased significantly throughout the graded exercise test up to 21% at maximal lipid oxidation rate which happened at 48+/-5% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), corresponding to 64+/-5% of maximal heart rate. Time spent at sedentary and very light physical activities decreased (p<0.001) to the benefit of recreational activities at home.


CONCLUSIONS
Multidisciplinary weight-control program, with moderate-intensity physical activities, induced decreases in FM without decreases in free FM, increases in VO2max, lipid oxidation rate during exercise, and time devoted to recreational activities in free-living conditions.
Lazzer
S
S
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy. stefanolazzer@libero.it
Molin
M
M
Stramare
D
D
Facchini
S
S
Francescato
M P
MP
D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*