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 .
Effects of 3 hours a week of physical activity on body fat and cardio-respiratory parameters in obese boys.
The prevalence of overweight or fat children and adolescents has markedly increased in Hungary during the past three decades . Among the possible factors insufficient physical activity and a relative or absolute excess of calorie intake associated to it can be regarded as the most important ones . The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of a 20-week aerobic exercise on body composition and on the exercise tested cardio-respiratory functions in 10-year-old obese boys . Obesity was defined by a BMI greater than the cut-off value reported by Cole and co-workers ( 5 ) and a relative body fat content above 30 % ( 13 ) . Of the study group 21 volunteer children completed the program ; the contrast group contained 28 obese boys . Mean calendar age was 10.03 + /- 0.26 in the study group ( S ) and 9.88 + /- 0.29 in the control group ( C ) . The members of group S had two curricular physical education ( PE ) classes a week and three extracurricular aerobic physical activity sessions of 60 min net time in the afternoon , on Mondays ( swimming and water games ) , Wednesdays ( folk dance ) and Fridays ( soccer ) . Group C had only 2 PE classes a week . Anthropometric and spiroergometric data were collected in the middle of January and June of 2004 . Relative body fat content and BMI did not increase during the observation period in contrast to the significant increase of both in the control group . Peak minute ventilation , aerobic power , oxygen pulse , and running distance ( performed on a treadmill ) increased in group S , and did not change in group C. The program was considered successful despite that the changes in the observed physiological and physical indicators appeared to be slight . However , the 5-month elevated level of physical activity brought about such development in the physical status of the obese subjects that might be an appropriate basis for regular training . Fortunately , the cardio-respiratory functions of the investigated boys were not affected yet by obesity , consequently the really dramatic change in their further lifestyle exclusively depends on their decision
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 .