title: Improvement of aerobic fitness in obese children: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of diverse interventions in aerobic fitness adjusted for weight in obese children. A computerized search of seven databases was carried out using keywords. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and the heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using Cochran's Q statistic applied to the effect size means. Nine studies were selected for review as satisfying the inclusion criteria (n patients = 311). The conclusions of the meta-analysis were: (i) the programs based on aerobic exercise have a moderate positive effect on aerobic fitness; (ii) the programs based on aerobic exercise lasting more than 12 weeks (3000 minutes total exercise time) in three sessions per week (more than 60 min per session) obtain better results; (iii) overall, combined programs fail to achieve improvements in aerobic fitness; and (iv) few randomized clinical trials have been conducted.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Spain. jsaavdra@unex.es
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Escalante
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia-Hermoso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome