ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of combined exercise for 12 weeks on the adiponectin and obesity related variables in overweight and obese children. METHODS: Eighteen children in 5th grade in a certain elementary school in Busan were recruited. They were all overweight or obese children(more than 85 percentile in body mass index). Nine children in the experimental group were given exercises consisting of walking and band resistant training for 12 weeks. Auxological data(including height, weight and body fat mass) and laboratory data (fasting blood sugar, insulin, adiponectin) were checked at baseline and at the 1 week, and at the 4 weeks and 12 weeks stages of their exercise program. Insulin resistance and sensitivity were evaluated indirectly using HOMA index and QUICKI index. RESULTS: Adiponectin gradually decreased until the 4 weeks point and gradually increased thereafter to the starting level at the 12 weeks stage. Body weight, body mass index(BMI) and HOMA index significantly decreased more at the 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks stages in the experimental group than in the control group. Body fat mass significantly decreased at 12 weeks. The change of insulin was significantly correlated with changes of body weight and BMI. But there was no correlation between changes of adiponectin and changes of insulin. CONCLUSION: Exercise seems to effect the adiponectin concentration. And it might be assumed that exercise increases the adiponectin concentration if it is continued for long time(may be more than 12 weeks). More studies may be necessary to draw that conclusion.