Results Physical activity was associated with numerous health benefits .
The dose-response relations observed in observational studies indicate that the more physical activity , the greater the health benefit .
Results from experimental studies indicate that even modest amounts of physical activity can have health benefits in high-risk youngsters ( e.g. , obese ) .
Vigorous intensity activities may provide even greater benefit .
Aerobic-based activities had the greatest health benefit , other than for bone health , in which case high-impact weight bearing activities were required .
Some of the health benefits can be achieved through an average of 30 minutes per day . [
Level 2 , Grade A ] .
Background The purpose was to : 1 ) perform a systematic review of studies examining the relation between physical activity , fitness , and health in school-aged children and youth , and 2 ) make recommendations based on the findings .
Treatment of childhood syndrome X.
OBJECTIVE Hyperinsulinemia , hyperlipidemia , hypertension , and coronary artery disease comprise a quartet known as Syndrome X. This syndrome was first described in adults , but has recently been described in children and adolescents . The purpose of our study was to determine if diet or exercise is able to change the clinical profile of Syndrome X in children . STUDY DESIGN We recruited 36 obese ( % ideal body weight = 170.3 + /- 31.1 ) , children ( 9 to 12 yrs old ) known to have high fasting cholesterol levels ( 177.5 + /- 33.5 mg/dL ) . Each participated in a 6-week protocol in one of three groups : control ( C ) , diet ( D ) , or exercise ( E ) . Twenty-five of the patients completed the study with full compliance . At the beginning and end of the study , we measured weight , height , blood pressure , serum insulin , and a lipid profile including : cholesterol , low density lipoprotein , high density lipoprotein ( HDL ) , triglycerides , and apolipoprotein A ( ApoA ) . All subject groups were similar before the study . The D group had the greatest attrition ( 40 % ) and all of the E group completed the study . RESULTS After the 6-week study period , there was no significant weight loss or change in body mass index for any group . There was no significant change in blood pressure and there was no significant decline of fasting cholesterol or low density lipoprotein levels in any of the groups . HDL levels were low in all groups and did not significantly change with treatment . There was a significant decline in the triglyceride levels in both the diet and exercise groups after the study ( preD = 150 + /- 60 ; postD = 122 + /- 50 ; preE = 165 + /- 50 ; postE = 116 + /- 39 ) . Both the D and E groups also demonstrated a significant decrease in ApoA levels ( preD = 174 + /- 33 ; postD = 142 + /- 24 ; preE = 200 + /- 50 ; postE = 161 + /- 23 ) . Most impressively , fasting insulin levels significantly decreased with both diet and exercise , but did not change in controls during the 6 weeks ( preC = 52 + /- 19 ; postC = 53 + /- 21 ; preD = 54 + /- 23 ; postD = 15 + /- 8 ; preE = 48 + /- 21 ; postE = 9 ) . CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study are consistent with previous studies describing the presence of Syndrome X in childhood . Both diet and exercise were effective in lowering triglyceride , ApoA levels , and insulin levels . However , due to the large rate of noncompliance in the diet group , exercise seems to be the best treatment for improvement in Syndrome X in children
Results Physical activity was associated with numerous health benefits .
The dose-response relations observed in observational studies indicate that the more physical activity , the greater the health benefit .
Results from experimental studies indicate that even modest amounts of physical activity can have health benefits in high-risk youngsters ( e.g. , obese ) .
Vigorous intensity activities may provide even greater benefit .
Aerobic-based activities had the greatest health benefit , other than for bone health , in which case high-impact weight bearing activities were required .
Some of the health benefits can be achieved through an average of 30 minutes per day . [
Level 2 , Grade A ] .
Background The purpose was to : 1 ) perform a systematic review of studies examining the relation between physical activity , fitness , and health in school-aged children and youth , and 2 ) make recommendations based on the findings .