The effect of aerobic plus resistance training associated with a long-term interdisciplinary weight loss program on visceral fat and isokinetic parameters in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity can lead to a number of alterations in biomechanical structures. We aimed to assess the effect of aerobic plus resistance training associated with an interdisciplinary approach on visceral fat and isokinetic parameters in a long-term weight loss therapy program. METHODS: Forty-four postpubertal obese adolescents were involved in the 1-year interdisciplinary weight loss therapy program (clinical, nutritional, psychological and physical training). Body composition, and visceral and subcutaneous fat were measured by DXA absorptiometry and ultrasonography, respectively. Peak torque was analyzed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Statistical analysis was performed using t-tests to assess the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in body fat with an inverse increase in lean mass. Positive correlations were observed between peak torque and lean body mass and negative correlations with visceral fat, gynoid fat mass, arm fat mass and subcutaneous fat. CONCLUSIONS: An interdisciplinary weight loss program can reduce body fat and increase peak torque and improve muscle strength. The results reinforce the importance of this kind of approach to treat obesity and improve the quality of life in this population.

Homeostasis Model Assessment-Adiponectin: the role of different types of physical exercise in obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Homeostasis Model Assessment-Adiponectin (HOMA-AD) is suggesting a new biomarker of insulin resistance in obese population. In this way, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different kinds of exercise in the sensitive index predictor of insulin resistance. METHODS: A total of 148 obese adolescents were enrolled in the program. They aged 15-19 y, with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥P95th and were submitted to 1 year of interdisciplinary weight loss therapy, randomized in two groups, aerobic training (AT) (N.=51) and aerobic plus resistance training (N.=97). Blood samples were collected to analyze adiponectin, glucose and insulin concentrations. The insulin resistance was measured by HOMA-AD and Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Both kinds of exercise training promoted a decrease in body mass, body mass index, fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat. However, only aerobic plus resistance training was effective to reduce HOMA-AD, insulin and glucose concentration; and increase insulin sensibility and adiponectin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The aerobic plus resistance training was more effective than AT alone to improve the HOMA-AD, suggesting clinical application on obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome control in the pediatric population.

Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of obese adolescents: effects on cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance.

The prevention of obesity and health concerns related to body fat is a major challenge worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a medically supervised, multidisciplinary approach, on reduction in the prevalence of obesity related comorbidities, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance in a sample of obese adolescents. A total of 97 postpuberty obese adolescents were enrolled in this study. Body composition, neuropeptides, and adipokines were analysed. The metabolic syndrome was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The abdominal ultrasonography was performed to measure visceral, subcutaneous fat and hepatic steatosis. All measures were performed at baseline and after one year of therapy. The multidisciplinary management promoted the control of obesity reducing body fat mass. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, asthma, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), binge eating, and hyperleptinemia was reduced. An improvement in the inflammatory profile was demonstrated by an increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin and reduction in proinflammatory adipokines, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, interleukin-6 concentrations, and in the Lep/Adipo ratio. Moreover, a reduction in the AgRP and an increase in the alfa-MSH were noted. The multidisciplinary approach not only reduced obesity but also is efficacious in cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance.

Reduction in the leptin concentration as a predictor of improvement in lung function in obese adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of weight loss on adipokines, asthma-related symptoms, exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) and lung function, and to evaluate the role of leptin and adiponectin levels on lung function after treatment in obese adolescents. METHODS: 84 postpubertal obese adolescents were enrolled and distributed in quartiles according to weight loss (low (<2.5 kg), low to moderate (>2.5 and <8 kg), moderate (<8 and <14 kg) and massive (<14 kg)). Body composition was measured by plethysmography, and visceral and subcutaneous fat were detected by ultrasound. Serum levels of adiponectin and leptin were analyzed. Lung function, asthma and EIB were evaluated according to the American Thoracic Society criteria. Patients were submitted to 1 year of interdisciplinary intervention consisting of physiotherapy, medical, nutritional, exercise, and psychological therapy. RESULTS: After treatment the moderate and massive weight loss promoted an increase in adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin (A/L) ratio as well as a decrease in leptin levels and a reduction in EIB frequency and asthma-related symptoms. Furthermore, the reduction in leptin levels was a predictor factor to improvement in lung function. CONCLUSION: Interdisciplinary therapy was able to decrease EIB and asthma-related symptoms and to improve pro/anti-inflammatory adipokines. Additionally, the leptin concentration was a predictor factor to explain changes in lung function.

Effects of a ferment soy product on the adipocyte area reduction and dyslipidemia control in hypercholesterolemic adult male rats.

BACKGROUND: Available data on the effects of a fermented soy product enriched with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus Jugurti on circulating lipids and adiposity are not completely settled. This study aimed to observe the effects of a fermented soy product enriched with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus Jugurti on central obesity and dyslipidemia control in Wistar adult male rats. METHODS: Over a period of 8 weeks, animals had "ad libitum" food intake and water consumption as well as body weight and food consumption was monitored. The animals were assigned to four different experimental groups: Control Group (C); Control + Fermented Product Group (CPF); Hypercholesterolemic diet group (H); and Hypercholesterolemic + Fermented Product Group (HPF). The HPF and CPF groups received an intragastric administration of 1 ml of fermented product daily. After the experimental period the animals were killed by decapitation, blood was collected to measure cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol plasma concentration. Adipocyte circumference, lipolysis and lipogenis rates were measures using epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissues. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that 1 ml/day/rat of the fermented soy product promoted important benefits such as reduced cholesterolemia in hypercholesterolemic diet group and the adipocyte circumference in both control and hypercholesterolemic diet group. CONCLUSION: The fermented soy product enriched with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus Jugurti decreased circulating lipids levels and reduced adipocyte area in rats.