Effect of exercise on the dynamics of fat oxidation in obese children and adolescents

XIE Weijun; ZHU Lin; ZHENG Li; LIANG Manna

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1118

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (10) : 1127-1131. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1118

Pediatric Metabolic Diseases Column

Effect of exercise on the dynamics of fat oxidation in obese children and adolescents

XIE Weijun^1,2, ZHU Lin³, ZHENG Li¹, LIANG Manna¹

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Abstract

Objective To analyze the effects of a 4-week exercise intervention on substrate metabolism during exercise in children and adolescents with obesity, and to explore factors influencing exercise-induced changes in the maximal fat oxidation rate (MFO). Methods From July to August 2022, a total of 45 children and adolescents with obesity aged 10 - 16 years were recruited to participate in a 4-week structured exercise program.Substrate metabolism during graded exercise testing was assessed before and after the intervention using a gas metabolism analyzer (Cortex MetaMax 3B).Paired sample t-tests were employed to compare pre- and post-intervention differences. Results Forty-one participants were included in the final statistical analysis.After the 4-week exercise intervention, fat oxidation rates (t=3.103, 4.991, 5.671) and their energy contribution ratios (t=3.614, 4.621, 5.067) at speeds of 5 - 7km/h during graded exercise were significantly higher than those before the intervention (P<0.05).In contrast, carbohydrate oxidation rates (t=3.599, 3.397, 2.866) and their corresponding energy contribution ratios (t=3.614, 4.621, 5.067) were significantly lower (P < 0.05).The maximal fat oxidation rate increased significantly from (5.26±1.40) mg/(kg·min) to (6.47±2.13) mg/(kg·min) (t=3.900, P<0.01), the intensity at MFO (in METs) increased from 4.25±1.04 to 5.10±1.26 (t=3.809, P<0.01), and the heart rate at MFO increased from (133.26±16.89) beats/min to (142.74±14.61)beats/min (t=3.820, P<0.01).ΔMFO was positively correlated with the change of maximal oxygen uptake (ΔVO₂ max) (β =0.448, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with the change of body fat percentage (ΔBF%) (β=-0.513, P<0.05). Conclusions A 4-week exercise intervention effectively enhances fat oxidation utilization and reduces carbohydrate-dependent energy supply in children and adolescents with obesity.Maximal oxygen uptakeand body fat percentage are identified as significant factors influencing changes in maximal fat oxidation rate.

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obesity / substrate metabolism / maximum fat oxidation rate / children / adolescents

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XIE Weijun, ZHU Lin, ZHENG Li, LIANG Manna. Effect of exercise on the dynamics of fat oxidation in obese children and adolescents[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(10): 1127-1131 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1118

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