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 .
Aerobic interval training reduces cardiovascular risk factors more than a multitreatment approach in overweight adolescents.
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a multidisciplinary approach ( MTG ) and aerobic interval training ( AIT ) on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight adolescents . A total of 62 overweight and obese adolescents from Trøndelag County in Norway , referred to medical treatment at St Olav 's Hospital , Trondheim , Norway , were invited to participate . Of these , 54 adolescents ( age , 14.0 + /- 0.3 years ) were r and omized to either AIT ( 4 x 4 min intervals at 90 % of maximal heart rate , each interval separated by 3 min at 70 % , twice a week for 3 months ) or to MTG ( exercise , dietary and psychological advice , twice a month for 12 months ) . Follow-up testing occurred at 3 and 12 months . VO(2max ) ( maximal oxygen uptake ) increased more after AIT compared with MTG , both at 3 months ( 11 compared with 0 % ; P<0.01 ) and 12 months ( 12 compared with -1 % ; P<0.01 ) .  AIT enhanced endothelial function compared with MTG at both 3 months ( absolute change , 5.1 compared with 3.9 % ; P<0.01 ) and 12 months ( absolute change , 6.3 compared with 1.0 % ; P<0.01 ) . AIT was favourable compared with MTG in reducing BMI ( body mass index ) , percentage of fat , MAP ( mean arterial blood pressure ) and increasing peak oxygen pulse . In addition , AIT induced a more favourable regulation of blood glucose and insulin compared with MTG . In conclusion , the novel findings of the present proof-of-concept study was that 3 months of twice weekly high-intensity exercise sessions reduced several known cardiovascular risk factors  in obese adolescents more than that observed after a multitreatment strategy , which was initiated as hospital treatment . Follow-up at 12 months confirmed that AIT improved or maintained these risk factors to a better degree than MTG
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 .