In conclusion , overweight and obese youth can improve physical fitness across a variety of test measures .
When fitness improves , beneficial health effects are observed in some , but not all chronic disease risk factors
A systematic review of literature was conducted to examine the association between changes in health-related fitness ( e.g. aerobic capacity and muscular strength /endurance ) and chronic disease risk factors in overweight and /or obese youth .
The effect of a combined intervention on body mass index and fitness in obese children and adolescents – a clinical experience
Abstract . We assessed the effect of a weight management programme on body weight , body mass index ( BMI ) , and fitness in obese children and adolescents . The study was design ed as a longitudinal , non-r and omised , clinical experience of a 3 and 6 month combined dietary-behavioural-exercise intervention . A total of 177 obese children ( age 6–16 years ) participated in the 3 month programme , of whom 65 completed the 6 month intervention . A group of 25 age- and maturity-matched obese children who did not participate in the structured programme served as controls . Body weight , BMI , and fitness were evaluated at baseline , and after the 3 and 6 months intervention . Body weight and BMI were significantly reduced ( P<0.05 ) , and endurance time significantly increased ( P<0.0005 ) following the 3 months intervention . Obese children who continued the programme for 6 months maintained the decrease in BMI and further improved endurance time . In contrast , obese children who did not participate in the structured programme gained weight , increased their BMI , and improved fitness less significantly . Gender , pubertal status , and the degree of obesity had no influence on BMI changes .  Children without parental overweight had significantly greater decreases in BMI compared to children of obese parents . Conclusion : a combined , structured multidisciplinary intervention for childhood obesity results in decreased body weight , decreased body mass index and improved fitness
In conclusion , overweight and obese youth can improve physical fitness across a variety of test measures .
When fitness improves , beneficial health effects are observed in some , but not all chronic disease risk factors
A systematic review of literature was conducted to examine the association between changes in health-related fitness ( e.g. aerobic capacity and muscular strength /endurance ) and chronic disease risk factors in overweight and /or obese youth .