Aerobic exercise combined with dietary intervention produced significantly greater reductions in adiposity and more pronounced improvements in cardiopulmonary and physical performance compared to aerobic exercise alone in obese adolescents over 12 weeks.
Key Findings
Results
The combination of aerobic exercise and nutritional intervention resulted in significantly greater reductions in body mass index compared to aerobic exercise alone.
Retrospective study of 129 obese adolescents treated between January 2021 and December 2024
Control group received aerobic exercise only (n = 61); observation group received aerobic exercise combined with nutritional intervention (n = 68)
Both groups underwent a 12-week structured exercise program
Difference between groups was statistically significant (P < .01)
Results
The observation group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in waist circumference after the 12-week intervention.
Waist circumference was assessed before and after the 12-week intervention in both groups
The observation group received individualized nutritional guidance tailored to caloric needs and macronutrient balance in addition to aerobic exercise
Reduction in waist circumference was significantly greater in the observation group (P < .01)
Results
Body fat percentage and visceral fat area showed significantly greater reductions in the group receiving combined aerobic exercise and dietary intervention.
Body composition was assessed before and after the 12-week intervention
Both body fat percentage and visceral fat area reductions were significantly greater in the observation group compared to controls (P < .01)
These findings suggest synergistic benefits of combining exercise with dietary management on adiposity markers
Results
Lean body mass showed more pronounced improvement in the observation group receiving combined aerobic exercise and dietary intervention.
Lean body mass was measured as part of body composition assessment before and after the 12-week program
The observation group (aerobic exercise plus nutritional intervention, n = 68) demonstrated greater gains in lean body mass compared to the control group (n = 61)
Nutritional guidance was individualized and tailored to caloric needs and macronutrient balance
Results
Cardiopulmonary function, as measured by step test performance and vital capacity, improved more in the combined intervention group.
Step test performance and vital capacity were among the functional outcomes assessed before and after the 12-week intervention
Both measures showed more pronounced improvement in the observation group compared to the control group
These outcomes were assessed alongside anthropometric and body composition parameters
Results
Multiple physical fitness measures including muscular endurance, flexibility, and agility showed greater improvement in the combined aerobic exercise and dietary intervention group.
Physical fitness assessments included muscular endurance, flexibility, and agility
All three fitness components showed more pronounced improvement in the observation group (aerobic exercise plus nutritional intervention) compared to the control group
Assessments were conducted before and after the 12-week structured program
Discussion
The study had design limitations that restrict causal interpretation of the findings.
The study used a retrospective and non-randomized design
Authors noted that this design 'may limit the interpretation of causality'
Participants were assigned to groups rather than randomized
Data were drawn from clinical treatment records between January 2021 and December 2024
Chang Y, Zhou B, Zhang Y, He Z, Song H, Wang Y, et al.. (2026). Comprehensive effects of aerobic training and dietary intervention on anthropometric and body composition parameters in obese adolescents.. Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000047320