Effects of physical exercise and nutritional guidance on metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents

Objectives: To analyze the effects of physical exercise and nutritional guidance on body composition, physical fitness, lipid profile and insulin resistance among obese adolescents with and without metabolic syndrome. Methods: Sixty-four obese adolescents (26 boys), 10-16 years of age, were divided into two groups: with metabolic syndrome (n=29) and without metabolic syndrome (n=35). They were classified as having metabolic syndrome if they met three or more criteria for age and sex according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Blood pressure, waist circumference, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2peak), blood glucose, blood insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Both groups participated in 12 weeks of physical education and two nutritional guidance sessions. Each physical education session consisted of 50 min indoor cycling, 50 min of walking/running and 20 min of stretching, three times a week. Results: Fifty-five participants (with metabolic syndrome=25; without metabolic syndrome=30) completed the treatment. After 12 weeks, both groups showed reductions in body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, fat mass and triglycerides; and increases in height, HDL-C and VO2peak (p<0.05). In addition, the group with metabolic syndrome presented reduced systolic blood pressure and increased insulin sensitivity (p<0.05). The risk factors for metabolic syndrome decreased by 72%. Conclusion: Following the multidisciplinary intervention, the risk factors decreased, with improvements in physical fitness and metabolic profile. The multidisciplinary intervention was effective in reducing metabolic syndrome.