A meta-analysis of 10 randomized control studies published in 2003-2013 was conducted to provide a summary of the effects of exercise interventions on obese adolescents. Outcomes of the reviewed trials included body mass index, weight, glucose, and triglycerides. Data were combined using an inverse variance weighted random effects model. The effect size estimate for BMI was 1.354 kg/m2 (p < 0.001, SE 0.321), indicating that the BMI of individuals in treatment groups improved, as compared to control groups. A statistically significant reduction in weight was greater in the intervention groups than the control groups by 3.815 kg (p = 0.001, SE 1.101). The findings of this meta-analysis show that exercise interventions may improve control of weight and BMI and in turn be a factor in decreasing obesity.
Strahan, B. E., Ahn, H., & Shuster, J. (2018). Meta-analysis of the Effects of Exercise Interventions on Obese Adolescents. Journal of Nursing & Interprofessional Leadership in Quality & Safety, 2 (1). Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthoustonjqualsafe/vol2/iss1/1