Exercise intervention for obese children and adolescents

ZHOU Yu, WANG Haijun

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2) : 127-131.

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2) : 127-131. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1457
Professional Forum

Exercise intervention for obese children and adolescents

  • ZHOU Yu1, WANG Haijun2
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Abstract

Insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior are significant factors contributing to childhood overweight and obesity. Exercise offers numerous benefits to obese children in terms of their physical appearance, physical fitness, and mental well-being, making it a crucial component of comprehensive interventions for obese children. The mechanisms by which exercise exerts its effects include reducing adipose tissue, regulating cytokine and hormone levels, improving insulin resistance and inflammatory states, and promoting brain development. Although the specific dose-response relationship of exercise in obese children has not been clearly established, aerobic exercise or a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise is considered a more reasonable choice, and the application of high-intensity interval training in obese children is gradually increasing. In the future, there is a need to develop optimal forms of exercise that are effective, time-efficient and safe, and to explore whether new methods suitable for obese adults can be adapted for use in children and adolescents.

Key words

obesity / exercise / intervention / children

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ZHOU Yu, WANG Haijun. Exercise intervention for obese children and adolescents[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(2): 127-131 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1457

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